Patriarch of Pender family in Bilboa, County Carlow passes away at the age of 92 years

By Charlie Keegan DANIEL (Dan) Pender Sr, Craanluskey, Bilboa, Co Carlow, who passed away peacefully on Thursday 23 April in the care of the staff of St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny was the greatly loved patriarch of four generations of the Pender family.

Born in 1933 to William and Elizabeth Pender, Daniel was known to his immediate family as ‘the chief,’ a name conferred on him by his friend Arthur Gould when they worked together in forestry.

The life of Dan Pender was outlined in great detail by his grandson, also Daniel Pender, who told his grandad’s funeral Mass in St Fintan’s church, Ballinabranna on Tuesday 28 April that the Pender family was very grateful for the rich tapestry of the long life his grandfather enjoyed.

He continued: “It’s incredibly sad that granddad’s life has been completed, but we can be grateful for all the good he did during his time.

“There’s no easy way to summarise 92 years of such a rich and interesting life, but this is the best attempt so far.” Daniel said his grandfather was born into a very different world to today – de Valera was not long in power, the British king was still head-of-state in Ireland and World War II was yet to happen.

“For us,” he said, “the ‘chief’ was the head of the family as well as a fountain of knowledge.” He grew up on a farm that people called to collect milk. He was offered a scholarship to study at Knockbeg College at a time when second-level education was a luxury. Dan declined the offer to continue helping on the farm.

“The ‘chief’ had worked in forestry until he retired in 1989, where he developed a great knowledge of all things relating to trees.” He met his wife Kitty Buggy from Crettenclough, Bilboa at a dance and they married, going on to have three sons – Billy, twins Dan and John ‒ and a daughter Elizabeth (Liz). Tragedy struck in 1977 with the sudden death of his wife, leaving him to raise the boys on his own while working, Liz being raised by his sister-in-law Ann.

Daniel said the GAA was a huge part of his granddad’s life, stating: “He lived and breathed it. He was a founding member of Michael Davitts, which started as John Tyndalls. He ferried lads to training and matches, often cramming ten or more youngsters into a small car in a way that would probably be banned today on health and safety grounds.

“In recognition of all his work for the GAA, Dan was awarded the Setanta award by Carlow county board of the association in 1982.” Dan was also involved with the Old Leighlin senior football team when they won a Carlow senior football championship title, while he also trained the Old Leighlin ladies’ football team.

He was also involved with Coiste na nÓg and the Barrow Valley Athletic Club.

Daniel went on to relate one story that spoke of the character of the man. “When Michael Davitts was struggling financially, he quietly put his hand in his own pocket to keep the show on the road. This is a story I discovered not so long ago from someone else – such was ‘the chief’s’ humility.” He described Dan as a good family man and a servant of the community, involved in many organisations. He was an avid historian and active in politics as secretary of the local branch of the Labour Party.

“Dan,” he said, “always had an interesting point to make and was incredibly fair in his judgement.” In later years he welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the family circle but had to deal with the sudden death of his son John at a young age in 2007.

Daniel described his grandfather as a very quiet man who didn’t like to bother people but was incredibly helpful to all who knew him. He had been described repeatedly since his passing as a gentleman “and that is what he was.” “Dan was a great storyteller, with his stories ranging back to his childhood and memories of the Second World War, to stories he heard from his parents and grandparents stretching back to the War of Independence, the early days of the new state, right up to the modern day.” In terms of GAA matches, he could recall who won matches going back to the 1940s and recall nearly every scoreline and many of the players who scored.

In addition, he was an encyclopaedia on all things relating to local history.

Daniel thanked Beechwood nursing home, Leighlinbridge for the great care they took of Dan over the past three years, adding that he had enjoyed chats with the staff who became very fond of him during his stay there.

He also extended thanks to St Luke’s, Kilkenny for the care afforded to Dan over recent days and the support the family received following his passing.

There was also praise for the neighbours and friends for the support they provided to the family in recent days, with a special mention of Audrey in that regard.

Daniel thanked people who travelled long distances to be present at the obsequies and Ballinabranna GFC for organising refreshments in the clubhouse.

He also thanked Michael Davitts for the guard of honour on ‘the Chief’s’ final trip “down the hill.” Daniel concluded his tribute: “We hope he is in heaven now having a good catch-up with all his family and friends who have gone before him.” “Sleep well ‘chief,’ we hope we have done you proud. We love you and will miss you so much.” Dan reposed at Carpenter’s funeral home, Shamrock Square on Monday 27 April, concluding with prayers recited by Fr Pat Hennessy, PP, Leighlinbridge.

Fr Hennessy celebrated Dan’s funeral Mass, assisted by Fr Tom Lalor, CC, Askea-Bennekerry-Tinryland.

Readings at Mass were by Billy (son) and Paddy (son-in-law), while the prayers of the faithful were recited by Rebecca (granddaughter), Seán (grandson), Marie (niece) and Davie (nephew). Great-grandchildren Rubie and Callum brought forward the Offertory gifts. The singing of hymns was by the St Fintan’s church choir Following Mass, Dan was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery, with Fr Hennessy reciting the final prayers at the graveside.

Dan is survived by his sons Billy and Daniel and daughter Elizabeth Phelan.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Rebecca, Jody, Mark, Melanie, David, Seán, Karl, Charlotte, Daniel Jr, Isobel, PJ and Rachel, great-grandchildren Callum, Rubie, Harry, Luke, Fiadh, Aodhan, Sebastian, Blake, Amelia, Georgia, Lila, Eva, Rian and Evan, son-in-law Paddy, daughters-in-law Lisa and Carmel, Billy’s partner Lyona, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Dan was predeceased by his wife Kitty, son John and brother Bill Pender. The month’s mind Mass for Daniel Pender will be celebrated in St Fintan’s church, Ballinabranna on Friday 29 May at 7.30pm.