Joseph (Joe) McFADDEN

McFADDEN, Joseph (Joe) (Ranelagh, Dublin 6, formerly of O’Moore Street, Tullamore) 13th March 2022 (peacefully) at St. Vincent’s University Hospital Dublin, in his 87th year and after a very brief illness. Very beloved husband of Eleanor and loving father of Niall, Fiona, Aoife and Emer. He will be sorely missed by his family, including his twelve grandchildren Joshua, Kaya, Benjamin, Ruben, Luka, Isabella, Amelia, Marlayna, Anneliese, Amy, Allie and Evie, all of whom lit up his life on a constant basis; by his daughter-in-law Leisa Benner, sons-in-law Peter Keunen, Oisin Nolan and Gary Stuart; and by his in-laws Ann McFadden, Pat and Margaret O’Neill, Tom and Ann Marie Sheehan and Mary O’Neill and his many nieces and nephews.

Joe was the youngest son of the late William and Rose McFadden of Tullamore and the last surviving brother of Vincent, May, Rosie, Mona, Kathleen, Bridie and Liam; he was a boarder at St Finian’s Mullingar, with whom he won the Leinster Colleges’ Senior Football Championship, played Minor and Senior County Football for Offaly and Sigerson Cup for UCD. Joe was also a championship-winning swimmer, high diver and water polo player and played with the British Railways 1st XI in the English Hendon League and toured abroad. Having qualified as a Civil Engineer in University College Dublin, he had a long career specialising in the field of permanent railway engineering and bridge building with British Railways and Irish Rail and with CIE Consult in Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Married to Eleanor in 1965, he led a long and happy life, always a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, granddad and uncle.  Joe was a gentle, kind and witty man, thoughtful, scrupulous and without vices, and always wore a smile.

His four children would like to especially note their mum’s unwavering love, devotion and unconditional commitment to their father, particularly during his last years’ of dementia. She could not have done a better job of looking after him and he knew it and he never worried. 

May he Rest in Peace

The family send their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Justin Smyth, Dr. Deirdre Waterhouse, Dr. Lucy Chapman and all the very caring and attentive hospital specialists and nursing staff who cared for Joe over the years. 

Joe will repose at the family home from 4pm to 7pm tomorrow (Tuesday, 15th March). All are welcome. House Private until then. The following morning, Wednesday, 16th March, the family will take the short final walk with Joe, from the family home to the Church of the Holy Name, Beechwood Avenue, Ranelagh, leaving at 11.30am to arrive in time for Joe’s Funeral Mass at 12.00 noon. All welcome to join in the walk. Masks in the Church would be appreciated. The Mass may be viewed on www.beechwoodparish.com. Private Burial at Deansgrange Cemetery.  Donations, if desired, instead of flowers, to Mary Aikenhead Day Centre (Sisters of Charity), Donnybrook.