Deep sadness at passing of much-loved local pharmacist and community stalwart

The death has occurred of a local pharmacist and Swinford community stalwart.

Maurice O’Connell, Park Road, Swinford, passed away last Sunday and will be fondly missed by his wife Bríd, daughters Blánaid and Fionnuala, sons Donncha, Maurice and Eoghan, brothers James, Denis, Daniel and Adrian, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and a wide circle of friends and neighbours.

Maurice was a well-known and much-loved figure in the Swinford community, where he ran O’Connell’s Pharmacy on Main Street. His father Denis, a native of Listowel, purchased an established chemist shop in Swinford in 1930.

He died suddenly in 1942 and his wife Barbara, who he met when he first moved to Mayo to manage Adamson’s Chemist Shop in Ballina, ran O’Connell’s with the help of managing chemists until Maurice qualified as a pharmacist in 1957.

Maurice ran the business and brought it into the modern day with the help of his wife Bríd before he handed the reins over to his son Eoghan in 2004, who would later expand the business to include a premises in Westport.

Eoghan paid the following tribute to Maurice online.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of my father Maurice O’Connell, “The Boss.”

“Maurice worked diligently for over 50 years in the pharmacy and his hard work and dedication, along with my mother Bríd, made the business what it is today. He enjoyed dealing with the people of Swinford and always spoke fondly of his days in the shop until the day he died.”

“I would personally like to thank all the staff in O’Connell’s Pharmacy for the kindness they showed to Dad and the help they gave my family over the past few years.”

Maurice was known for his strong support of local events in Swinford and his wife Bríd served on the committee of the Siamsa Sraide festival.

Reposing in Campbell’s Funeral Home, Swinford this Wednesday, May 27 from 5pm until 8pm. His funeral mass will take place at 12 noon in the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians on Thursday, May 28 prior to burial in Kilconduff Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.