A south Armagh community has been stunned by the sudden passing of a hugely popular father-of-two.
Gavin Connolly, from Silverbridge, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 30.
He was the husband of Grainne, having been since March 2022. He was also the devoted father of Sophie and Donnacha and cherished son of Michael and Mona.
Gavin was the loving brother of Linda (O’Leary), Karen (McVerry) and Miceal (Colleen); brother-in-law of Sean O’Leary, Gerry McVerry, Dominic (Sandra) Morton, Brendan (Orla) Conlon & Anthony (Ciara) Conlon. Dear son in law of Thomas and Briege Conlon.
Gavin’s removal from Mc Convilles Funeral Home will take place at 5pm on Monday, January 1 (visitors welcome from 4:30pm) to his home at Cashel Road, Silverbridge. House strictly private on Monday Night.
His funeral will take place on Wednesday, January 3, leaving his home at 11.20am (House Strictly Private) to the Church Of Our Lady Queen Of Peace, Aughanduff arriving for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in St Mary’s Cemetery Mullaghbawn.
Tributes have poured in, which convey the deep sense of shock at Gavin’s passing.
His local GAA club, Silverbridge, commented: “We are truely saddened and shocked by the untimely death of Gavin Connolly RIP. Our thoughts are with Grainne his lovely wife and his children Sofie and Donnacha. His parents Michael and Mona, his sisters and brother Linda, Karen and Miceal.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. Please keep Gavin and his family in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.”
Fiona Campbell of Happy Faces Nursery in Silverbridge, commented: “The whole Happy Faces team are heartbroken to hear of the sudden passing of one of our dads at Happy Faces, Gavin Connolly RIP. Daddy to little Donnacha in the baby room and husband of Grainne.
“We’ve no words other than complete and utter heartbreak… what a gentleman and great dad he was. Our thoughts and prayers are with Grainne his lovely wife and their children Sofie and Donnacha. His parents Michael and Mona, his sisters & brother Linda, Karen & Miceal and all the connolly / Conlon family at this time. Please keep Gavin and his family in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. RIP Gavin.”
Dorsey Emmets GAC said Gavin’s death “has shocked the entire community”.
Sinn Féin councillor, Aoife Finnegan, said: “Sincere condolences to you, Grainne, the children and the rest of the family. Absolutely heartbreaking. Praying for you all and sending all our love.”
Party colleague, Cllr Oonagh Magennis, added: “Sincere condolences to entire family at this very difficult time. Devastating news. Thinking of you all. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Hundreds of others have offered up sympathies and condolences to a man clearly highly regarded in the community.
Wake visiting times: Tuesday 12-9pm – Shuttle buses from Aughanduff Church Car Park to the Wake House will be provided between these hours as access to Cashel Rd & Lough Rd will be restricted (Please adhere to the stewards wishes & we appreciate your co operation in following their instructions).
Deeply regretted by his heartbroken, wife, children, parents, siblings, brothers & sisters in law, father & mother in law, nephews, nieces, extended Connolly & Conlon families, neighbours & many friends. Enquiries to Mc Conville Funeral Directors Est:1830 tel: 02830861212.
