THE FUNERAL took place yesterday of a father-of-four from Adamstown who died suddenly on Friday at his home.

Willie Stafford (50) passed away unexpectedly at Oldcourt, Adamstown on Friday afternoon.

St. Abban’s Church was overflowing with mourners who gathered to bid a final farewell to a widely popular man who was heavily involved with the community.

Mr. Stafford, a grain farmer and sales representative for Osmonds, is survived by his wife Majella, Home Economics teacher at Enniscorthy Vocational College, and his four children, aged from 22 to 12, Amy, Niamh, Liam and Eadaoin.

Formerly of Duncormick, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow, from the moment Mr. Stafford came to Adamstown he fully immersed himself in the community.

Described as “a beloved husband, a loving father, a quiet and caring man with huge hands that he used to help anyone that needed him”, he was renowned in the locality for his love of G.A.A and Adamstown Athletics Club, where he served as a delegate.

Chairperson of A.A.C, Marie Louise Byrne, posted a touching tribute on behalf of the club online: “We lost a good one. R.I.P Willie, you will be sorely missed by us all.”

For full story, see this week’s Echo.