YOU WOULD travel a long way to find another man as sound, sincere and superbly genuine and kind as Mick Hoban.
When God created Mick Hoban, a son of Danesfort, He threw away the mould.
Mick and his beloved wife Geraldine were kindred spirits.
Mick and Geraldine loved each other’s company and enjoyed a great life together.
There is a vacant chair in the Hoban family home that will take some filling.
Mick’s passing after a brave battle with illness was a sad blow for Mick and Geraldine’s loyal family. It is hard to fathom that Mick is no longer with us.
The Rathclough, Danesfort man who went on to live at Hazel Grove at the heart of the Village in Kilkenny City with his wife and family was larger than life.
He was the real deal; a man of his word; a friend to so many; a devoted dad and granddad who was so proud of his entire family.
He had a big heart, a kind and caring disposition and loved to help out a friend in deed or to offer his services as a top class plumber to neighbours and friends alike.
Mick was never a lone ranger. He had many pals and always enjoyed a chat with good friendly and oft witty banter over a few pints with friends.
His buddies delighted in Mick’s straight talking contribution when called to the bar or to a local hurling, soccer or boxing contest.
He loved sport; played by the rules and nailed his colours to a mast to which he was truly devoted.
He never shirked a challenge in sport and was loyal to the hurling, soccer and boxing teams he supported regardless of results.
Amateur boxing was perhaps closest to his heart. He delighted in his involvement with Marble City Boxing Club and was so proud of the achievements of his son Mark and indeed of the entire troop of his extended family of which he was so proud.
I can vouch for the fact that he was generous to a fault to Kilkenny sport in particular.
That he provided his plumbing skills free of charge to Kilkenny City Football Club of which he was a loyal supporter was indeed a powerful community gesture.
On hearing of Mick’s passing my son James rang me from the United States and recalled a great day we had spent with Mick and son Mark at a Republic of Ireland international fixture in the then Lansdowne Road.
Mick was driving his company van and as usual he was making sure that young supporters Mark and James had the time of their lives.
It was a case of have mattress will travel as Mick brought a mattress from his family home so that the youngsters could enjoy 40 winks on the Dublin journey and 40 more winks on the return trip.
Yet again Mick had displayed his kind and unselfish personality as he ensured that comfort was provided for future generations.
Mick Hoban will never be forgotten by his nearest and dearest and indeed by hundreds of staff at UPMC Aut Even Hospital where he was official plumber for a generation.
He is survived by his wife Geraldine; sons and daughters Michael, Mark, Justina, Linda; daughters-in-law Mary and Laura and sons-in-law Jim and Ian; grandchildren Mikey, Sean, Mollie, Maisie, Mia, Anna, Tom, Paddy, Billy and James; brother Pat; sisters Margaret, Collette, Geraldine, Mary, Paula and Anne.
Mick was predeceased by his parents Paddy and Anna. He passed away at the home of his son Mark in Larchfield and was buried at Foulkstown Cemetery. He was 75.
