Tributes paid following passing of highly respected local businessman

Tributes have been paid following the death earlier this month of Mr Ivan Finch, Main Street, Castlerea and formerly of Ballindrimley, Castlerea. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3rd.

Ivan was a member of a highly respected and established Castlerea family who ran a garage and paper business in Castlerea for many years. They collected the English and Irish papers every Saturday in Dublin and distributed them to many areas in Connacht. They did the same during the week with the Irish papers and for years, Ivan made many trips to Dublin every Saturday.

He was an all-round sportsman. He won an U-15 championship with Castlerea in 1962, and minor county championship in 1963/64/65. He was a great soccer player with Castlerea Celtic and won a few leagues with them in the 1970’s. 

He was also a keen golfer and was captain of Castlerea Golf Club in 1981 and represented the club in many team competitions. He was a member of the team beaten in the Pierce Purcell All-Ireland Shield final in Portmarnock in 1972. He also liked to have a flutter on the horses with Rachel Blackmore his favourite jockey. He also loved the game of pool and the game of 25.

His late mother Josephine was a member of the Castlerea ladies O’Rourke Park Committee for many years and helped to fundraise for the development of the O’Rourke Centre and park. Ivan loved feeding the birds and paying a visit to his friends. He was also a man of faith.

Ivan will be forever sadly missed by his brother, Joe (Nenagh), sister Eve (Liverpool), sister-in-law, Mary, brother-in-law, Albert, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. Following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Kevin Reynolds, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. The ceremony was enhanced by the singing and music of Julia Heaney and Eoin Kelly. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

He is predeceased by his parents Josephine and Ted, brother Billy and his infant twin brother.