Sad passing of popular Letterkenny pharmacist Noel Crossan

Letterkenny lost one of its most cherished citizens with the news of the sad passing of the late Noel Crossan. 3 Hillcrest, Leck.

He served the people of the town and surrounding areas as a pharmacist between 1957 and 1994 catering to all manner of requirements in a professional but always friendly manner.

The 97-year-old completed his education at St Eunan's College, Letterkenny and later in Dublin before taking up a position with a Dublin pharmacy. He worked in hospitals in the capital too and undertook a locum in Tralee, Co Kerry and eventually took over a pharmacy in Castleisland. He spent eleven months there before deciding he wanted to move back to Letterkenny. It was 1957 and he was keen to establish his own pharmacy in the town.

Crossan’s Pharmacy continued to thrive on the Port Road and he remained there until 1967 when he purchased the former Speers premises – J.P. Speer had passed away – and opened up his chemist where the Quiet Moment restaurant is now located.

Outside his working life, he enjoyed much quality time with his Galway-born wife, Geraldine McCole, whose parents hailed from Dungloe. They married in Dunfanaghy in 1967 and went on to have a family of three, Elaine, Aine and Deirdre.

In 1994, after a lengthy period handing our prescriptions and helping to maintain the health of the community, and not forgetting prescribing cattle dosage for “half of the farmers in the Lagan”, Noel vacated the business and his career.

He had a keen interest in politics and the Fine Gael party and was also one of the founding members of the local Chamber of Commerce. Always cheerful and available to talk, he certainly was a popular figure around town even after his retirement/

The late Mr Crossan passed away peacefully, in the caring hands of the staff at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Letterkenny on Tuesday.

Predeceased by his wife, Geraldine (January 8, 2012), brothers Willie, Jack and Phonsie, and sisters Margaret, Winnie, Kitty, Molly, Grainne and Florrie.

He will be deeply missed by his loving daughters Elaine, Aine and Deirdre, grandchildren Millie, Molly, Féilim and Saoirse, nieces and nephews, and his dear companion Alice Doherty and a wide circle of friends and good neighbours.

Removal from The Eternal Light Chapel Of Rest, Mountain Top, Letterkenny, took place on Tuesday, going to his late residence.

The funeral will take place from there, going to St. Eunan's Cathedral, for 11am Requiem Mass 11am on Thursday, April 27, with burial afterward in Holy Cross Church burial grounds, Dunfanaghy. Family time from 10pm to 11am and on the morning of the funeral. Family flowers only, please. Donations, in lieu of flowers, to The Donegal Hospice.