Tributes paid to Roscommon native who passed away in Australia

The death occurred on Sunday, January 25th 2026 in Melbourne, Australia of Mr PJ Dayton, only son of the late Mary and Brian Dayton of Bumlin, Strokestown.

PJ’s funeral and interment took place in Melbourne. A memorial Mass for the happy repose of his soul was celebrated last month in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strokestown.

PJ, who was born in 1948, emigrated to England and from there made his way to Australia. In Australia he worked hard and had a very successful business, which he ran up until his retirement.

He lived on what he called his “hobby farm” in the Yarra Valley outside Melbourne where he and his wife, Cathy, lived happily farming and fishing.

Growing up on a farm beside a river, his family say that it was no surprise that his last years were devoted to farming and fishing, the two activities that he was immersed in during his early years. He loved his farm and his cattle. 

The Rubicon River was his fishing hideout and from it he frequently brought home a tasty dinner or two. One of his favourite fishing quotes was, “a woman who has never seen her husband fish, doesn’t know what a patient man she married”.

PJ was an avid reader, with history, poetry and biography being top of his agenda. He loved his books and was forever quoting gems of wisdom and wit from his readings.

Though totally immersed in Australian life and culture, he kept in touch with his family and all local news with the Roscommon Herald being read from cover to cover. 

The Herald and other regional papers were then shared and discussed in detail by a small community of Irish in PJ’s adopted home.

Predeceased by his parents, and his sister Kathleen, he is survived by his wife and lifelong companion Cathy, his four sisters, Marion (Wilson), Pauline, Margaret (Scott) and Bernie (Murray), extended family, neighbours and friends.