The death took place recently of Joe Furlong, who was 68, a member of a well known Ballindaggin family.
Joe, of Lower Dargle Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow, and formerly of Shroughmore, Ballindaggin, son of Jack and Annie, died after a long illness at Blackrock Hospice, on August 10th.
Though reared in Ballindaggin where he was born in 1945, Joe spent most of his life in Bray, where he was interred at St. Peter’s Cemetery, following Requiem Mass, celebrated by Fr. Enda Lloyd, at the Holy Redeemer Church.
Joe is survived by his wife Phyllis, son Tony, daughters Nicola, Therese and Leonie; sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren; brothers Peter and Jim (both Chicago), Paddy and sisters Anne and Margaret, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. He is predeceased by his parents Jack and Annie and by his brother John.
Joe was a devoted father and husband, who cherished each moment spent with his family in his adopted home town of Bray: he was a very popular uncle to his many nieces and nephews, always willing to lend support and to give advice, and he doted on his many grand-children.
Before his illness, Joe was a frequent visitor to his native county, specifically Ballindaggin. In fact, members of the Furlong family, from as far afield as Chicago and London, reconvened in Ballindaggin in 1998 for the Bicentenary of 1798, where Peter marched proudly to Vinegar Hill with the Ballindaggin Pipe Band.
Joe had many passions and interests, including following the fortunes of the Wexford hurlers, having grown up with the exploits of Nickey Rackard and the Wexford teams of the 1950s: he loved to spend time in the company of his many friends and he enjoyed the simpler pleasures in life: playing a game of 25’s with his family, going on holiday or walking the gorgeous promenade in Bray, often getting up at 6.30 a.m. to witness the sun rise from the sea and arc over Bray Head.
Joe lived his life passionately and with compassion: he was an eloquent conversationalist, a great listener, with a keen sense of humour matched by a natural facility for kindness.
He lived by example: he was a loyal husband, a devoted father, a reliable friend, a doting grandfather, a committed family man to his many relatives, with a zest for life that was always infectious. His long illness was also a manifestation of his inner strength and the magnitude of his spirit. His wide smile never waned.
At was attested at the Requiem Mass, Joe was highly respected in Bray, and his passing was greeted with profound sadness by people from all walks of life. During his illness, Joe drew strength from his deep religious and spiritual faith, an endless source of comfort, which continuously gave Joe a confident and optimistic outlook which belied the gravity of his illness, borne always with fortitude.
