Remembering Tom Lucas

By Colm Croffy

Tom Lucas - Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

It’s easy to know how to sum up Tom, but difficult to trace the fulsomeness of his busy life’s journey into a few paragraphs but the widespread disbelief and shock that hit Ballinasloe as news broke this week of his passing - was palpable.

Tom in the words of so many of his friends was one of life’s truest gentlemen. He brought energy and perfection to all that he did. In all of sporting, professional and community engagements he brought tons, not ounces of kindness, humility and compassion.

From his schooling days in Clonfert he was sports mad – small ball, big ball but as he matured as an athlete, the sliothar with Eyrecourt GAA and later in life the golf ball became his twin towers of enjoyment. He exceled in keeping himself active – walking, golfing, swimming whether it was in the many local golf clubs, local pool and steam room.

As he settled into a life post work – he was not for the armchair or stool but devoted more time to his outside athleticism and could shame many lads much younger with his stamina and endurance at whatever discipline that he took to. He enjoyed some great travels and voyages to meet his children in exotic places around the world.

He graced the Galway Minors in 1965 and had a lifelong love affair with all matter Gaelic – especially hurling. He was an officer with the local GAA Club and trained a few underage teams in the 80s and 90s. It culminated in him becoming elected Chair in 2023 of Báireoirí na Gaillimhe – a supporting convivial association of retired Galway County Hurlers.

He also gave quality time in town to Boxing – with Emerald ABC and of course was an avid member of Ballinasloe Golf Club serving in many committee positions including President.

As Works and Operations Manager with Bord na Mona he was unusually liked by both staff and Directors – there was a lifetime tradition of respect for the dignity of work in Tom and while labour relations were never always smooth – Tom was admired by Trade Union Officials and colleagues for his willingness to seek a solution and then honour it.

Tom’s charming manner and generous spirit made him a true community man – he served with distinction on the Creagh Community Development Council, The local Board of the Credit Union or just the neighbourhood.

One of his most invaluable (to the community ) post-retirement roles was to take up the post of Connacht Tribune Correspondent for the Ballinasloe Notes Page and area . He did this diligently for near 15 years – helping keep community groups and organisations in the news with their reports and publicity of events.

However, it was dealing with our families in their hours of difficulty but more so their moments of joy that he came into his own. A lot of families who had Parents or Grandparents or Relatives reach milestone birthdays can recall how Tom would energetically make sure that the Birthday Family shot, at home, hotel or often nursing home included all the key players and the text reflected the essence of the human being. He need not have done so but typical of the generosity of the man – he always went the extra mile for people – whether he knew them or not.
He really worked hard for local groups to have their achievements read about!

Aside from all of the above Tom was devoted, husband, father and especially Grandfather and revelled in the joys and successes of both his children’s and their achievements.

They and we are much the poorer for his passing.

To Bernadette and his cherished six children Mona, Sean, Joanne, Cathal, Conor and Aoife. Grandchildren - Tom, Nora, Kieran, Cameron, Madison, Hayden, Sonny and Jesse. Sons-in-law Aidan, daughters-in-law Samantha and Serena and Conor's partner Imelda in Sydney we offer our heartfelt sympathies at this sad time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam