Funeral of the late Patrick Joseph (P.J.) O'Connell, Ballyshannon - retired county engineer 

The funeral has taken place of Patrick Joseph (P.J.) O'Connell, known as P.J., Abbey Lane, Ballyshannon, following his peaceful passing at his residence, surrounded by his caring family.  

Mourners were told at St Patrick’s Church, Ballyshannon on Tuesday by Fr Cathal O’Fearraí, P.P. of the rich legacy that the former civil engineer with Donegal County Council had left behind.

P.J. was born in Galway City, the youngest of five children to William and Nora O’Connell. He attended St Joseph’s secondary school, better known as ‘the Bish’ before attending University College Galway on a scholarship, where he studied Civil Engineering.   

His early working life took him to England, where he worked in Manchester and later the Midlands, where his work was related to flood barriers. 

He had met his wife Deirdre from Edenderry and after getting married in 1961, he returned to England for work.

They spent more than six decades together and were later blessed with four sons and grandchildren. 

P.J. returned to Ireland in 1962, where he worked with Bord na Mona and later the ESB in the Midlands. In 1968 he took up a position of engineer with Donegal County Council. 

He was the area engineer for south Donegal for 27 years until his retirement in 1995.

He was responsible for the roads and the development of south Donegal working closely in those years with Ballyshannon and Bundoran Urban Councils.

His house on Abbey Lane looked over the Erne Estuary and the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

Much of the house he developed himself, building the stone walls surrounding them with the help of his sons, as well as the beautiful gardens and flowers that he loved.    

Fr O’Fearraí described the deceased as a “real gentleman of a reserved, quiet nature but gentle and kind hearted, with a very pleasant disposition, always courteous and loved to chat, loved meeting people. 

“He had a great work ethic working very hard and giving of his best, completely dedicated and committed to any task that was given to him. He loved the work that he did and took great pride in it.”

Fr O’Fearraí spoke of his many interests in different facets of life, an avid reader, loved the outdoor life, playing golf, following the GAA, going to matches with his great buddies Peter Kenny and Brian Stephens. He was a regular attender of events at the Abbey Centre with the Drama Festival a particular delight.

He also had a great interest in world travel, current affairs, politics and the local parish, including mapping out the graveyard as there was no record of where people were buried at the Abbey cemetery.       

Late Brian O’Doherty, Bundoran and Dunkineely - A man for all seasons both on land and at sea

Predeceased by his brother Liam and sisters Sal and Celine, P.J. will be forever remembered by his wife Deirdre, sons Paul, Liam, Pádraic and Feargal, daughters-in-law Erna, Sharon, Maaike and Liesl. Much loved by his grandchildren Tasha, Maya, Peter, Joe, Katie, Niamh, Aoife, Caolan, Molly and Finn. 

He will be sadly missed by his brother Frank, sisters-in-law Breda and Joan, brothers-in-law Tom and Brian.

After Mass of the Resurrection at St Patrick’s Church, this was followed by interment in Abbey Assaroe Cemetery. 

MMH