Deep sadness at passing of Frank Young

The death has taken place of one of Athlone's most popular and well-regarded native sons. Frank Young of Carrickobrien, Athlone, passed away on Monday at University College Hospital, Galway. A native of the town, Frank was a son of the late William and Winifred Young, Retreat House, Athlone. A retired farmer, Frank was a noted figure in agricultural circles and possessed a deep passion for GAA and in particular, hurling. A compassionate and humanitarian man, he was the driving force behind the Athlone Families Together group formed in Athlone following the controversial deportations of two Nigerian families. Frank, who had a Masters in Agricultural Science, had a long and successful career with Teagasc as an Agricultural Advisor in the South Roscommon area and was always keen to promote the agricultural industry to the younger generation. Indeed, he presented the Best Agriculture Science Award to Athlone Community College students at their annual school awards. As a long-standing member of the Southern Gaels GAA club, Frank was extremely well known in local GAA circles and in recent years was an honorary vice-president of his beloved club. He was instrumental in the amalgamation of the Athlone and Walderstown hurling clubs in the early 1970s, when both clubs were encountering difficulty in fielding teams. A conversation between Frank when he was Athlone Chairman and Mick Ward of Drumraney, led to both clubs amalgamating their resources, and so Southern Gaels was born. The first meeting was held in February 1973 in Pairc Chiarian, where Frank was elected chairman. Frank was also the Hurling Board delegate to the Westmeath County Board for many years.His involvement in Teagasc brought him into contact with hundreds of farmers across the wider region. He specialised in sheep and his work with farmers on mixed grazing brought major benefits. According to journalist Sean MacConnell, in a reminiscent article celebrating 50 years of Teagasc in the Irish Times on July 7, 2008, the "legendary" Frank Young's "love for farming, farming people and rural Ireland knew no boundary". Mr MacConnell knew Frank when they shared a flat in Roscommon Town many years ago when Frank started out in Teagasc. He wrote that Frank and his colleauges, had "an inordinate interest in playing cards" with farmers who often called to the flat and games continued into the early hours. Indeed, farmers often came for advice regarding matters of the heart, as well as for farming problems. When Frank retired from his role in Teagasc a couple of years ago, hundreds of people attended his party in Athlone from all over the country.But his farming advisory role was not finished, as he was also a presenter of the farming show on Shannonside radio. Frank made national and international headlines back in 2005, as he was the driving force behind the campaign group 'Athlone Families Together'. The group was founded in protest at the deportation from Athlone of two Nigerian mothers, Elizabeth Odunsi and Iyabo Nwanze with two of their children from the town. Fleeing religious violence, in 2001 the women sought refuge here with their six children. Frank had met Odunsi and Nwanze when they were students in a class taught by his wife. Their older children had settled into local schools here. But after four years, the women were suddenly deported back to Nigeria with their youngest sons. Their four other children were left behind and went into hiding.Within 24 hours of their departure, more than 4,000 local people had signed a petition asking the then Justice Minister Michael McDowell to reconsider the order. The town council passed a near-unanimous motion demanding that they be allowed to return, and hundreds of residents marched in a demonstration.As spokesperson for the group, Frank was even interviewed by Time magazine for an article about immigration and deportation in Irealnd. Frank was a beloved husband of Emily and brother of Peter, Ballymore, Mary (Eudie), Dublin and the late Freida Young. He is sadly missed by his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives, neighbours, colleagues and a large circle of friends.Removal is taking place this evening (Wednesday) to St Mary's Church arriving at 8pm. Funeral mass will take place at 12 noon tomorrow, followed by burial in Coosan Cemetery. Hundreds of people from all walks of life are expected to turn out to say their final goodbyes to the popular and well-known man, who led a varied, busy and interesting life, and who was highly regarded by those in GAA and agricultural circles.