'Noelie' Ryan remembered as witty character and proud Athlone man

Beloved Athlone businessman, Noel 'Noelie' Ryan, who passed tragically following a drowning accident while on holidays in Malta, was remembered at his funeral mass today (Thursday) as a witty character who “brought positivity into the lives of others”.

The chief celebrant of the funeral mass in St Mary's Church, Athlone, this afternoon was Noel's brother, Fr Aidan Ryan.

Noel was also a brother to Joe, Fran, Ciaran, Mary, and his late twin Brendan, who all had fond memories of Mardyke Street, where the Ryan family grew up, and where he ran the Noel Ryan clothes shop for close to 50 years until his retirement in 2014.

Fr Aidan remembered his brother "for the good he was able to bring to our family".

"He spent his life in business as a shopkeeper and draper, and for Noel, selling stuff wasn't only just a business transaction, but also, a personal encounter.

"He saw people not only as customers, but as friends. There was whole other worlds he was involved in: The world of Offaly GAA, the world of Connaught Rugby, the world of Probus senior citizens that he cherished a lot.

"The words used [to describe Noel] were friendly, witty, a great talker. Nobody ever called him a great listener I noticed! The word that came up most often was the word 'character'. People kind of felt better when they met him. When they left his side, they left with a smile and a spring in their step."

His daughter Sinéad paid tribute to her beloved father 'Noelie', whom she said “always knew how to comfort people in their time of need. I don't think he understood the impact he had on so many people”.

'The Noelie Effect' she affectionately coined the lasting imprint he left on all those who knew him.

Sinéad continued by giving a heartfelt reading of Tracy K. Smith's poem It's Not which read: “He is only gone so far as we can tell. Though / When I try, I see the white cloud of his hair / In the distance like an eternity.”

Gifts were brought forward by Noel's grandchildren, symbols of his life and passions: A rugby ball and a Connaught flag celebrating his love of sport, a cap which people would remember him wearing, a measuring tape which “he always wore around his neck in the shop”, and finally, gardening instruments representing his love of the outdoors.

“He was known as the memory man, and he was a proud Athlone man,” Sinéad said. He and his beloved wife Deirdre Ryan (nee Keogh) enjoyed 51 years of happiness together, and his daughters, Aoife and Sinead, remember him for the kind, and witty character that he was.

Noel was predeceased by his parents Frank and Margaret, and most recently, by his twin brother Brendan, whom the Ryan family still mourn following his passing in November last.

The congregation heard apologies on behalf of St Mary's Parish Administrator Fr Pat Murphy, who was not in attendance at the ceremony due to prior commitments, and his heartfelt condolences were extended to the Ryan and Keogh families.

Noel was laid to rest in Coosan Cemetery on following his Mass of Resurrection in St Mary's Church.

May he rest in peace.