Glowing tributes to Genfitt founder Larry McEllin, a stalwart of Mayo football 

Warm tributes have been paid to businessman Laurence (Larry) McEllin who founded Genfitt and employed many people in the Kiltimagh and East Mayo regions.

Larry died on Thursday at Mayo Hospice, Castlebar following a short illness.

The married father of three was a highly-regarded member of the local community and a stalwart of Kiltimagh and Mayo football.

Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Adrian Forkan, who worked at Genfitt for a short period after he finished school, said a lot of people in the area were shocked to hear the news.

"If you could play a bit of football at that time Larry would get work for you," he said. "A lot of lads going to school and in fifth or sixth year would have worked with him during the summer holidays in Genfitt."

Larry and his wife Mary ran a very successful business for many years and employed a large number of local people and Cllr Forkan said their contribution to the local economy could not be understated.

The couple's children Laurence, Mark and Valerie were also involved in assisting with the business when they were growing up.

The local representative said Larry, who was on the Mayo minor Gaelic football team in 1962, was known and appreciated for his longevity.

"He won a county junior title in 1967 with Kiltimagh and then he won intermediate titles with Kiltimagh in 1978 and in 1991," Cllr Larry sponsored the Mayo team from the mid-90s during a successful spell when they reached the All Ireland finals in 1996 and 1997.

He was a Kiltimagh club president, selector and he sponsored numerous teams in his local club along with the Tooreen hurlers.

Larry played with the Mayo Masters team for several years and he won an All Ireland masters title in the 1990s.

Cllr Forkan said Larry played an instrumental role in establishing the Mayo Masters over-40s team, which he himself played with last year.

"He often advised me to play as long as I can, he loved football and he loved to talk about it," Cllr Forkan recalled. "He was a nice man. I only talked to him recently and a lot of people are quite shocked."

Larry, a grandfather of three, sold Genfitt in 2005 and it was acquired by Kramp with Paul Duggan taking over the running of the business.

He has been described as a man who will always be remembered and will be greatly missed by all.

Meanwhile, Kiltimagh GAA Club have paid tribute Larry and expressed their deepest sympathies to the McEllin family on his passing.

"Larry McEllin was synonymous with Kiltimagh and Mayo GAA, as a player, Club President, selector and sponsor.

"Larry was a proud member of our Club, winning 3 county titles; 1967 Junior and intermediate in both 1978 and 1991. 

"Larry represented Mayo, on the minor team of 1962 and again in the 1990’s playing on the All Ireland winning masters team.

The club will have a guard of honour on Saturday  evening, meeting outside O’Horas funeral home at 7.30pm.

Larry will repose at O'Hora's Funeral Home, Kiltimagh (F12 Y1F7) on Saturday, May 4 from 5pm until 8pm.

Funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Family, Kiltimagh on Sunday, May 5 at 12 midday, followed by burial in Kilkinure cemetery.