Tributes paid to Tipperary man who was 'kind, loving and a good listener'

Tributes have been paid to Brendan Augustine Smyth was born on August 16, 1958 in Tullamore.

He grew up in Cooraclevin, Dunkerrin and attended the National School there.

He completed his education at The Vocational School in Roscrea.

After finishing at The Vocational School, he was employed by Banaghan & Co., LTD in Cloughjordan until 1985.

He immigrated to Boston in February of 1985.

He worked delivering office furniture during the day, stocking shelves at night, and he painted houses on the weekends.

He started his own painting company in the 1990s and enjoyed success at that for a number of years. He moved to Bristol, CT in 2006 and began working for LaPier Painting Co. in Glastonbury, where he was employed for the last 18 years.

Brendan’s first passion was music.

He was a walking encyclopedia on bands and music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

He enjoyed and could converse about nearly every genre of music—from traditional Irish music, rock and roll, classical, and jazz to folk, bluegrass, and country.

He was an international soccer enthusiast and would often stay up late to watch a game played live.

He loved being with friends and family, listening to and sharing stories about life, history, and family relations.

He was also devoted to his two cats, Stan and Ollie.

Brendan was honest, trustworthy, and generous.

He was loyal to his friends and family and would help anyone in need in whatever way he could. He had a quick wit and a terrific sense of humour.

He could always laugh with others and could laugh at himself.

He was kind, loving and a good listener. He will be missed by so many.

Brendan was pre-deceased by his parents, Joseph and Bridget Smyth; his brother, Paddy Smyth, and his sister Ann Smyth.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters: Phil Crozier, John Smyth, Gene Smyth, Brid Kirwan, Liam Smyth, and Mary Karamuth, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Smyth family have scheduled a memorial mass in Barna Church, Offaly, Ireland on February 7 at 7pm.

Brendan’s service and cremation in Connecticut was livestreamed on Monday, January 22.