Jimmy Walker - a man of caring and generous nature
The late Jimmy Walker.
A bright light in the local community was extinguished as 91-year-old Jimmy Walker, who hailed from Lisduggan, was laid to rest after the beloved father of four died on Wednesday, February 4.
Jimmy, who was a great character, was much loved and remembered at his funeral Mass for his brilliant smile, his love of family, his appreciation for the simple things in life, and his work with McConnells Toyota.
His funeral Mass was celebrated in his local church at St. Paul’s by Monsignor Pat Fitzgerald, where he was also fondly remembered for his love of community, the church, and Roanmore GAA club.
Symbols of Jimmy’s life brought to the altar included his phone, his cap, and his walking stick, with his grandchildren Daryl and Jodie reading the readings. Brian, Kyle, Angela, Sally, and Matt proclaimed the prayers of the faithful.
In his homily, Monsignor Fitzgerald said: “The support of family and friends on a day like today is a very precious thing. We are celebrating the life of a man who did so much for this parish during his 91 years.
“He was a great character and was one of the original members of the choir in St. Paul’s, where he served up to recently. The youngest of seven children born to John and Margaret Walker, he was raised in Doyle Street.
“As a young boy, he acquired a job in Wade’s garage, which opened the path for him in motor mechanics. It was a line of work that he excelled. He followed two of his brothers to Bristol, where he worked for a few years.
“On his return to Waterford, he got a job in Kelly’s Garage in Catherine’s Street, and around the same time, he crossed paths with Ann Bolger from Griffith’s Place. They made a great life together and were blessed with four children.”
Monsignor Fitzgerald added: “I suspect that Jimmy was poached when he made the move from Kelly’s in Catherine’s Street to McDonnell’s in William Street, where he was a service manager. He worked there until his retirement.
“After his retirement, he kept an association with the trade through Auto Factors. I believe that Jimmy swore by Toyota, but with his friendship with Niall Farrell, he flirted with Suzuki.
“He was a sociable man, who will be remembered for his welcoming smile and friendly chat, but the smile was his trademark. He loved the café in the shopping centre, Davy’s deli down town, and the Granville.
“He was dedicated Roanmore clubman. He loved his pints, and the point-to-points. He loved his holidays with Ann to Spain and his big trip to the Far East. Ann’s death in 2011 was an enormous blow to Jimmy, and he was quite simply lost without her.”
Monsignor Fitzgerald concluded: “He was a man of faith and had a long association with this Church and the parish choir. He was a long-time member of the St. Otteran’s Cemetery committee.
“He was a happy presence in many Lourdes pilgrimages. We can say without doubt that Jimmy loved life in a caring and generous nature.” In a tribute to his father, his son John said: “We honour a man whose presence, guidance, humour, and dedication left a lasting mark on everyone who knew him since he was born back on September 4, 1934.
“After moving to England, he returned for his brother's wedding, where he met the love of his life, our mam Ann, and after returning briefly to the UK, he made the decision to return home.
“He got married to Ann back in August 1961, and began life in Doyle Street, where Martin and Eugene were born, before moving to Lisduggan back in 1967, where they welcomed Ann Marie and me, completing the Walker family.
“Lisduggan became home for nearly the next 60 years, surrounded by neighbours, who became lifelong friends. Many people came to know him best during his 25 long years with McConnell’s Toyota. He was deeply respected for his skill and fairness.”
John continued: “He retired in 2000 at the age of 65, but sitting at home was never going to suit him. He took up a part-time role with Auto Factors, allowing him to keep in touch with friends and colleagues across the motor trade. He loved being on the go.
“He had many passions like the Church, the Cemetery committee, the pioneer shows and the Tops of the Town. His love of music and local culture shone through with projects with the Yellow Road Band.
“A proud man of Roanmore GAA, Jimmy coached, sat on committees, and served as chairman of the juvenile club, shaping young people and giving generously of his time, where his community spirit was one of his greatest gifts.
“As everyone knows, Jimmy loved meeting people. This was his daily joy right up to last April as he kept his daily routine of the shopping centre, the bus to town, the Granville or the Ginger Man, or the Gingerbread Man as he liked to call it. All part of his fabric.”
John concluded: “If he had one fault, it was his patience or the lack of them. He believed in being on time every time, something that he didn’t pass on to the rest of us. If someone gave him time, he expected it to be exactly that.
“When it came to meals, he loved being served first, and hated being on the last table called. He was a husband, father, grandfather, neighbour, colleague, and a friend, who lived a rich life full of love, work, humour, dedication, and community.
“Although we’ll miss him dearly, we’ll carry his stories, his sayings, his routines, and his spirit forward with us.” Music was rendered at the Mass by Donna Roche, who was accompanied on organ by Sean Hennessy.
Jimmy was carried shoulder high from the church to Frank Sinatra’s version, My Way, before he was laid to rest at St. Otteran’s Cemetery.
Predeceased by his wife Ann, parents, brothers and sister, Jimmy is survived by his sons Martin, Eugene and John, daughter Ann-Marie, son-in-law Brendan, daughters-in-law Colette and Ciara, grandchildren Daryl, Jamie, Jodie, Kyle and Louise and her husband Kevin, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.
May he rest in peace.
