Portlaoise in shock at sudden death of popular local man

The Portlaoise community is in shock this week at the sudden death of a popular local man.

The death of Tony Greene, from St Brigid's Place took place unexpectedly, on Monday, January 16.

Aged in his early 50's, he was a familiar man to the Portlaoise community as he worked behind the counter in Brown's Gala Shop oppposite the church. 

The shop paid a beautiful tribute to their 'right hand man', sharing a wonderful black and white photo of Tony taken by Garreth O'Brien.

"He wasn't just our right hand man nor just our friend. He was part of our family and the shop will never be the same without him. Tony you will be sorely missed by so many but you will never be forgotten.

"Thanks for the memories. Sympathies to Tony's family and all who will miss this gentleman and larger than life character of Portlaoise. RIP Tony".

He was remembered kindly too at the January meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District on Wednesday, January 18.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley was first to express sympathies.

"To the Greene family from St Brigid's on the sudden death of Tony. He was a young man, it was totally unexpected. I want to offer my sympathies to the entire family," she said.

Cllr Willie Aird said he has only spoken to Tony Greene two days earlier.

"I spoke to Tony on Saturday. He was a very nice person, he went about his daily work in a quiet way. This is a huge shock to everybody. He was a character, he'd be telling me I was on a yellow card or a red card. He was a very nice fella and this is a huge shock to all. He gave years of work in Brown's," he said.

"The whole family is well known in Portlaoise, my condolences to them," said Cllr Noel Tuohy.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald also expressed her deepest sympathy to the Greene family, including to her friend and Tony's Aunt, Ellie Foran.

The local community also expressed their sadness at his death, in lovely online tributes including this by Linda Murphy.

"Still so hard to believe. Tony you were salt of this earth & would do anything for anyone. Obliging as they come. Wouldn't harm a fly. As for animals their was no kinder. Often saw you outside the shop after buying a packet of ham & giving it to a dog or a cat. Time to rest those hard working hands now Tony may heaven be your bed To Michael, Joe, Christy, Paul & Mary our heartfelt condolences to you all".
 
 Mick O Shea wrote this touching tribute.

"I'm in disbelief, there is absolutely no understanding to this god almighty Tony is part of the heritage of our town, someone all of us bump into every single day, something funny to say to everyone he met, tried selling me a ladder once with the bottom 4 steps missing off, "how am I supposed to climb up it Tony ?? turn it up side down he said, how am I supposed to climb down Tony? Jump he'd say, ill never understand why Heaven takes our best sooner than our worst God rest your soul Tony, your going to be very very missed but never forgotten, Condolences to your family and all those who were closest to you every day," he said. 

Voice of the Ploughing Carrie Acheson has passed away

Served as Fianna Fáil TD and as Mayor of Clonmel in 1980s

Tony Greene was predeceased by his parents Tony and Annie, and will be sadly missed by his brothers Michael, Christopher, Joe and Paul, sisters Mary and Ann-Marie, nieces, nephews, sisters in law, brother in law, grandnieces, grandnephews, his loving aunt Ellie Foran, relatives, friends and neighbours.

Death Notices for Laois - Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Reposing at Keegan's funeral home on Wednesday from 6.30 pm with rosary at 8pm. Funeral Mass at 12 noon on Thursday in SS Peter and Paul's Church https://www.portlaoiseparish.ie/webcam/. Burial immediately afterwards in SS Peter and Paul's Cemetery, Portlaoise.