RIP: Tributes flood in as Tipperary business man passes away
Mourners leave condolences for family of Frank McKevitt
Mourners have left condolences for the family of Tipperary man Frank McKevitt.
Frank was the owner of Johnson’s store in Liberty Square, Thurles.
Frank's nephew Darragh said: "He was unyielding in battle, especially against the big guys or businesses. A thorn in the side of the large supermarket chains that he competed with on a daily basis.
“Quinnsworth thought they’d outsmart Uncle Frankie to win back some fruit and veg market share by selling lettuce below cost, as a loss leader at 10 pence a head at the time.
"Uncle Frankie matched them on the price in the weekly specials, and I’d be expecting we’d need a second lorry going to the markets that week for all the lettuce we were going to buy. Much to my surprise, we bought no lettuce."
“I was in a panic on the way home. When specials day arrived, we hadn’t a head of lettuce in the shop. And it was only then that Frankie revealed his cunning plan. He called all friends and family, told them to go to Quinnsworth, buy as many boxes of lettuce as they could, and say it was for 21st birthday parties, engagement parties, and funerals.
“Not only was he then able to stock his shelves with lettuce, retailing at 10 pence per head, he was costing Quinnsworth for every box they sold to him. Frankie was no head of lettuce," he added in an interview with the Irish Independent.
Formerly of Killahara House, Dovea, Thurles, Tipperary, E41 P738, Frank passed away peacefully, in his 91st year, surrounded by his loving family.
Predeceased by his wife Marion (née Killackey), sisters Mary and Pauline.
Deeply regretted by his sons Paul and Dave, daughters Orla and Maeve, Paul's wife Mary Bowe, Dave's partner Triona, grandchildren Aaron, Matthew, Rachel and Rory and their mother Finola, Jane-Anne, Sarah and Frank, Peter, David and Conor, brother Paddy, sister Kathleen, nephews, nieces, brother-in-law Matt, sisters-in-law Carol, Philomena, Margaret and Rita, god-daughter Nuala, relatives, neighbours and many good friends.
Some of the condolences posted on RIP.ie include:
"Frank was a most pleasant man and provided a great service to the Town and hinterland of Thurles."
"Frank, a great character who I always enjoyed calling into."
"He was a character and always a smile on his face."