Willie Carroll

As already briefly reported in The Mayo News, the death has occurred suddenly of Mr Willie Carroll, Forkfield, Ayle Westport, a well- known plumbing and building contractor and an outstanding sportsman. He was son of the late Bridget and William Carroll and was aged 76 years.

He was predeceased by his wife Breda and is deeply mourned by his sons and daughters Liam, Michael and Brendan, Kathleen, Carmel, Pauline and Anne-Marie, sister Bridie Walsh, brother Tommy, grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Willie was a natural sportsman and a fierce competitor. Road bowling was his chosen sport and his skills in this sport brought national honours to his home parish.

He was also a great GAA supporter and was present at the Mayo V New York championship match in the Big Apple earlier this year.

Following repose at the family home removal took place to St. Patrick’s Church, Aughagower where Fr. Jackie Conroy, P.P, officiated at the reception ceremony and was also the principal celebrant of Willie’s funeral Mass. Family members took part in the funeral liturgy and the Following eulogy was given by Willie’s nephew, John Brighouse.

EULOGY

“This job may be too big for me, but as Willie would say “John, don’t just frighten it. Give it a good smack”. No job was too big for him.

Willie was the youngest child of Bridget and William Carroll of Forkfield. He was born on May 5, 1938. He had two brothers, Johnnie and Tommy, and two sisters, Kathleen and Bridie.  He spent all his life at Forkfield, tending its acres, maintaining and extending its house and buildings. He took Breda there as his wife and it was there they raised their family: Liam, Michael and Brendan and Kathleen, Carmel, Pauline and Anne-Marie. He was never happier than in the midst of his family and as his grandchildren came along that happiness only increased. He was an instinctive parent and grandparent. He understood that kids had to grow and learn and, for all that went well, they would inevitably get some things wrong. What was important to him was that he was always there to guide and support, to celebrate their achievements and take pride in their successes. This same generosity of spirit operated more widely. Willie never condemned; he looked for the good in everyone and usually found it.

When he lost his wife Breda, he lost the love of his life and it was a loss he always felt keenly. But he never lost his balance; he never let his sadness turn to bitterness. The candle invariably burned on the kitchen table; her grave was assiduously attended and visited. The promises he made, he kept. And then he got on with nurturing his family. No job was too big for him.

Willie was a fierce competitor and so took to sport naturally as both player and fan. Road bowling was his chosen arena. He was Runner-up in the All- Ireland Championships in 1992 and 2002, and was Champion in 2001 at Ballywilliam in County Wexford. The official report of those championships records:

“We’ve seen popular and widely acclaimed All- Ireland Championship victories over the years, but few have been as popular, or have been met with the same universal sporting approval as Willie Carroll’s victory at County Wexford…”

His achievements were also honoured by his own parish community. But you would have to inquire to discover the true extent of his victories. Of the many trophies he won, few were on display. Most were kept in the press, out of sight. His sporting interests ranged beyond road bowling and Gaelic Football was especially attractive. He took me as a young boy to watch Dickie Conaboy play football at Islandeady and took Aidan Walsh to his first football match and to many thereafter. As the children grew, he supported their sporting interests and his love of sport carried through to them and is evident in the grandchildren. Carmel in turn gained All Ireland honours in Soccer and Gaelic Football. Willie was once pictured with the Sam Maguire Cup and would have been overjoyed to see Mayo bring it home.

Willie’s road bowling interests led him into supporting those who faced physical or mental challenges. He gave his time generously and shared his skills so that they could share the excitement and satisfaction of taking part in sporting activities tailored to their special needs. No job was too big for him.

When Willie was growing up, the opportunities for education were not as they are today. Had they been, he would surely have taken full advantage, for he had an inquiring and imaginative mind. He relished solving a problem and, more often than not, it was someone else’s problem that he was asked to solve. An immediate response probably meant you had asked the wrong question or should not have asked the question at all. More often than not it was a considered response that was forthcoming. John Carroll summed up his approach well: First, you have to sow the seed; Uncle will take the problem away and think it all through. Then he will come back with the answer. He had great patience and would show you how to do things for as long as it took. Of course, the major test came when he reviewed what you had done. There was no better feeling of accomplishment than to receive Willie’s seal of approval. But even if you tackled the task alone, it was still subject to the same scrutiny. My first feeble attempt at a stone wall was found to be sturdy enough, but why did I not build if straight? Once rebuilt and now straight, it brought just one comment and that just lovely smile that meant so much: “You’re good, but you’re going Friday”.

Willie became a skilled plumber and builder. He often joked that his favourite vegetable was a leek. Many buildings in the locality bear the mark of his work, including the beautiful church in which we are gathered. His skills were passed on to Liam, Michael and Brendan, who each earn their living in the same broad way.

He was immensely proud of his family and it is they who are his real and most impressive legacy. He followed their progress and marked their success, whether in business, at their work, academically or in their wider interests. Dad glowed in their achievements and Dan Dan was the perfect grandfather. In recent years, the centre of gravity shifted from Forkfield and Willie spent time at each house. Kathleen, Pauline, Carmel and Anne-Marie offered a selection of daily menus for him to choose from and his whereabouts were closely monitored. Mill Street, the home of his sister, Bridie, and Druimneen, where his brother Tommy lives, were further ports of call. He rarely came empty-handed and without any obvious attention the leaking tap suddenly leaked no more and the door which didn’t close properly now operated smoothly.

Willie relished a challenge, never more so than to rescue an old clock and make it work again. Anyone visiting his Forkfield home cannot fail to have noticed its rich collection of clocks. Since they were in various stages of renovation, mercifully they didn’t all chime in unison. They ticked along at their own pace under Willie’s watchful eye. And that is very much how he lived his life. He fixed what he could and cared for what he fixed. And if fixing wasn’t needed immediately, he watched and stayed ready in case it should be.

If ever you want to know the true meaning of “You shall reap what you sow”, look no further than Willie’s life. He sowed love, kindness and decency widely and generously. Every family and every community should have a Willie Carroll. If you crossed his path, you would be the better for it. If you were fortunate enough to walk some miles along the road with him, you were enriched. Many clocks will tick no more; many chimes will be heard no longer. But he will surely have his reward.”

Willie was laid to rest in Aughagower Cemetery. May his noble and generous soul have peaceful rest. Ar dheis Dé a anam uasal.