Founding member of Wexford Credit Union Luke Wadding died yesterday (Monday) at Wexford General Hospital following a brief illness.
The sudden death of the retired postmaster at Anne Street Post Office has been met with shock and sadness.
The Newtown Road resident is praised with establishing one of the most efficient and successful credit unions nationally.
In 1963, Mr Wadding was one of the directors who first formed the Wexford organisation. He held a position on the Board of Directors right up until his death.
Loans Manager at Wexford Credit Union David Maguire paid his respect to the founder’s community spirit and tremendous business acumen.
“He was certainly instrumental in the establishment of the credit union. If it hadn’t been for his foresight and vision it would never have gotten off the ground,” said Mr Maguire, who noted that his death had come as a shock to staff at the branch that were expecting to see Mr Wadding at a function in the coming days.
The manager continued: “He was very involved in the community and quite a character. He will be sorely missed.”
Mr Wadding was pre-deceased by his wife Mary and is survived by his daughters Cllr Deirdre Wadding of Wexford County Council and Emer Wadding, along with his brother Reverend George Wadding and sister Rachel.
The funeral details are as follows: removal from Kearney’s Funeral Home, Selskar, to Rowe Street Church at 7p.m. tonight (Tuesday) with funeral Mass tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12 noon. Mr Wadding will be laid to rest at St Ibar’s Cemetery, Crosstown.