Tony Nixon

Mr Tony Nixon of Inishower, Newport, who died at Mayo General Hospital on March 16, was a well-known, respected and much-esteemed member of the community.

His remains reposed at St Dominick’s Funeral Home, Newport on Wednesday evening from 5pm with removal at 7.30pm to St Patrick’s Parish Church, Newport, where they were received by Canon Eamon Concannon, PP Newport. The following day, Mass for the happy repose of his soul was celebrated at noon by Canon Eamon Concannon with concelebrating priests, Fr Tagdh Moran, Fr Micheál Mannion, Fr Attie Devine and Fr Gabriel Murphy. The Readings at Mass were read by Tony’s sons, John and Pat, and the Responsorial Psalm was sung by Carmel Lillis, his cousin. The Prayers of the Faithful were read by Gerard McHale (nephew), Mike Conway (brother-in-law), Noreen Holmes and Tony Gibbons (cousins) and Phillip McGinnity and Mickey Davitt (work colleagues). The Offertory gifts were brought to the altar by Tony’s sister, Mary McHale, and his brother, Séan Nixon. Hymns were sung by Newport Church Choir with soloists Fionuala O’Malley and Miriam Fadden, who also accompanied the choir on the organ, and Carmel Lillis.

In his homily, Canon Concannon extended his sympathy to the extended Nixon family on his own behalf and that of the community of Burrishoole. Referring to the Lord’s promise ‘If anyone serves me my father will honour him’, he recalled how “Tony was a faithful follower, conscientious in the practice of his faith right to the end, and full of goodwill towards others. He was also a follower of Christ in his family life, as a husband and father; he was a lifelong member of the Pioneer Association and had received his golden jubilee pin and was conscientious and dedicated to his work, seldom if ever, missing a day, and his work colleagues had only nice words to say of him. He was legendary as a gardener – you name it, Tony grew it. Then there was his sporting life, from the CBS to his home club of Burrishoole GAA with whom he won three in-a-row West Mayo Junior medals in the early 1960s before winning a County Intermediate medal in 1966. He retired from the Marine Institute in Furnace, originally known as the Salmon Research Station, in 2004, having worked with them as a loyal and dedicated employee for 47 years.”

Tony Nixon was son of the late Jack and Mary Nixon, nee Gibbons, of Inishower, Newport, where he spent all his life. He was laid to rest in Burrishoole Cemetery, and the attendance at his funeral on both days was an indication of the esteem in which he was held. Predeceased by his parents and brother, Liam, he is survived by his loving wife, Rose, nee Conway; sons, John and Pat; brother, Séan Nixon, Mulranny; sister, Mary McHale, Westport; nieces and nephews; sisters-in-law, Nora Conway and Annie Nixon; brothers-in-law, Tom Conway Shramore, and Jim, Joe, Mick and Pat Conway, Cleveland; many relatives and a wide circle of friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.