Roscommon club pays tribute to ‘outstanding’ clubperson for 'immense contribution'

A County Roscommon GAA Club has paid tribute to an “outstanding” clubperson who made an immense contribution to his club and the wider community.

The late James (Jim) Browne, Ballyglass, Lanesboro, County Rscommon, and formerly of Kilcurry, Colehill, County Longford and Coventry, UK, passed away peacefully on May 28th in the wonderful care of Sonas Innis Ree Nursing Home, Ballyleague, surrounded by his loving family.

In a tribute, St. Faithleach’s GAA Club recalled that Jim had been involved in the club since returning to Ballyglass with his late wife, and best friend, Phil, in the 1980s.

He served many roles within the club, from underage team manager, executive member, minor club chairperson, and club chairperson.

“He brought a great work ethic to every role, and was a regular helper when any work needed doing at the pitch. Phil was never far away on all those occasions,” noted St. Faithleach’s in a post on social media.

“Jim was firstly a family man — a proud husband to Phil, father of Teresa, Helen, Joe and Declan, grandfather and great grandfather. He and Phil were married for 64 years. Phil passed away only three months ago.” 

Jim, a native of Colehill, County Longford moved to Coventry England in the late 1950s and met and married Phil there. He played with the Roger Casements GAA Club for many years before returning to Ireland.

“He maintained a close link with the Roger Casements GAA Club and organised many trips over and back with St. Faithleach’s.

“He was very passionate about the GAA and the clubs that he loved,” highlighted St. Faithleach’s who thanked Jim for his “valued contribution” to the club.

“In recent years, he and Phil were always present on match days and loved nothing more than watching the grandchildren play. He was very proud of all their achievements and none more so than the Connacht final success in 2022.

“Of course, Stephen’s (Ormsby) involvement in the All-Ireland minor final of 2006 was one of his proudest moments, but, on and off the field, his children's and grandchildren’s achievements were celebrated.” 

The club went on to extend its sympathy to the Browne family — daughters Helen (Kelly), Teresa (Ormsby), sons Joseph and Declan, son-in-law Steve and daughter-in-law Patricia, his adored grandchildren, Rebecca and Ruth Kelly, Stephen, Siobhan, Aisling and Liam Ormsby, Katie and James Browne; his great grandchildren Lottie and Tommy Ormsby and Éala and Seán Óg Grimes; his sisters, Doreen Kearney and Kathleen Dardis (Ballymahon), brothers, Paddy and Peter (Coventry), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends.

Reposing at his residence Ballyglass, Lanesboro, County Roscommon (N39 KN34) on Friday, May 30th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Funeral Mass on Saturday, May 31st, at 12 noon in The Church of the Holy Rosary, Ballyleague (N39 HV52) followed by burial in Cloontuskert Cemetery.

May Jim Rest In Peace.