STANDING in a long queue to say goodbye to a lifelong friend was a chastening experience.
Friends, neighbours, in-laws and outlaws were hunched under umbrellas as the rain pelted down.
It would not have surprised me if son of Graigue/Ballycallan man Milo Hennessy had a smile on his face as we waited to meet the larger than life retired Kilkenny People Newspaper print worker for the last time.
With respect the hugely popular Milo probably would have been chuffed at the fact that only minutes after Hehir’s Funeral Home was opened there were long queues to meet a man so admired and respected.
On my first visited I hesitated to join in the queue and said I would return later. That I did with optimism but alas the queue was as long and possibly longer on the second visit.
I don’t normally visit funeral homes but Milo Hennessy I simply had to say farewell to.
A friendly young man from Ballycallan offered to share his brolly with me.
I don’t know the gentleman and probably never met him before but I knew I was in friendly territory as the chit chat sent out the signal that those waiting were big fans of Milo H and like Milo, were also big hurling aficionados.
The gent did tell me he was an electrician, a bright spark most certainly, a really good guy, just like the 68-year-old Milo who was one of nature’s finest.
Edging towards Milo’s coffin I was nervous. When you have such respect for a friend you can feel the butterflies in your stomach.
With my brother Joe I signed the visitors’ book. Soon I found myself a few steps from the man who was given a send-off of epic proportions.
I met Milo’s sisters-in-law and I spoke about the years I spent as a journalist on the staff of the Kilkenny People. The penny dropped. They remembered my name from God only knows how many years ago. The friendly ladies put me at ease.
Before meeting Milo I spoke to his brothers Kevin and Ger both of whom I had known reasonably well over the years. I would meet them in the city with their late father Paddy and, more often than not with Milo in tow.
I grinned to myself. The Boys were back town, the Hennessy Boys who would possibly enjoy a game of cards in a local hostelry, a few pints or a bet or two on a couple of nags. And, no doubt an upcoming game involving you know what team, their club side or the Kilkenny senior team, would get an airing with Milo leading the debate.
To meet Milo was both sad and refreshing. There was no denying who was resting in the coffin surrounded by his broken hearted loved ones.
He looked as fresh as the proverbial daisy complete with suit and his spectacles. I was so happy that I had gone into to say a few final words to him.
I whispered Goodbye my friend and thanks for the memories. I laid my hand on his chest as I re-lived the great times in the ‘People that flashed through my mind
I recalled the hard work we all did in a great place to toil, the fun we had, the craic about hurling and all it meant to Milo particularly his local club, the club he was in love with, the club that he ate, slept, dreamed and drank every day of every year for a lifetime.
I felt lousy leaving my friend and heading home. Then reality hit. I was merely a small cog of respect that included literally thousands of people who loved Milo Hennessy and his family so dearly.
In the Kilkenny People he worked with sound people like Gerry Cody, Pat Griffin, Padraig Leydon, Brendan Dowling, the late Ben Little, the late Ralph Kavanagh, Sean Dooley, John Knox, Sean Hurley, Johnny McKee, Michael Keogh, Peter Holohan, Tommy, Marie O’Reilly, Heber McQuaid, the late Lillian Beatty, Marie McKee, Breda Gorey Raggett, the late Tom Brett, Mary Manning, Joe Hayes, Seamus and James McGarry, the late Norah Flynn, Teresa Byrne, Henry O’Neill, Tommy Hayes, Bridie Young, Pat Kelly, Donie Butler, Peter Seaver, Pat Stapleton, Padjo Little, Breda and Ann Coonan, Billy O’Sullivan, Katie Rice, Martin and Michael Brett, Sean Kerwick, Michael Gannon, Paddy Leydon, Denise Murphy, most of whom were based in High Street.
The names came flooding back and the happy days under a very fair and friendly MD John Kerry Keane, his wife Leonora and daughters Andrea and Adriana reminded of all the excellent people, the great characters I worked with and how they had helped to brighten my life and made going to work so enjoyable, entertaining even.
It is in that vein that I will always remember and respect Milo from Ballyfrunk, Ballycallan. He was a terrific colleague who never uttered a bad word about anyone and in a wonderful two-way street I never heard anyone utter an ill word about Milo.
Milo’s remains were removed to St Brigid’s Church, Ballycallallan where there was again a full house to mourn the region’s favourite son.
Burial was at St Mary’s Cemetary, Ballycallan.
Milo was predeceased by his loving parents Margaret and Paddy.
He is survived by his brothers Ger and Kevin; sisters Rena and Eileen; nephew Shane; nieces Amy, Sarah, Laura, Margaret, Katie; sister-in-law Sadie; brothers-in-law Mikey and Jim; Ger’s partner Eileen; grandnieces Mia, Rose and Grace.
God rest you Milo, GAA fan, Ballycallan and Kilkenny, Ballycallan ticket salesman and fundraiser supreme, amazing workmate, family and community man. The Lord will welcome you with open arms. You deserve the rest after a brave battle with illness.
Peace to you my friend and to your loving family. Milo was a great friend of fellow Ballycallan and GAA guru Tom Ryall.
Common denominator was that both craved the very best for Graigue/Ballycallan GAA Club.
Adios amigo, the love of all our lives.
