Eddie Staunton was 'a thorough gentleman'

Tributes have been paid to former councillor Eddie Staunton who passed away on Sunday last. 

Mr Staunton, of Ballynacloy, Crossmolina, served as a member of Mayo County Council for over three decades and held the position of cathaoirleach in 2004-05. He retired in 2014.

Eddie had a strong love for his local community, sport and music. He was one of the founding members of Moygowagh GAA Club, where he was a club trustee for 45 years.

“Eddie carried the responsibility of being a club trustee for that entire time, a role he carried out in cooperation with his fellow trustees with due diligence and always in the best interest of our association," said Moygownagh GAA in a social media tribute. "His advice and guidance from those early days to more recent times were invaluable in all the club’s developments.

“Eddie was a key participant, from early fundraising ventures to develop our club facilities, to more recently playing a strong role with others in developing The Education Forum at Moygownagh GAA Community Centre and Daria's Daycare into a community-based childcare facility.

“When Scór and Réadoirí were very popular in Mayo in the late 1970s and ’80s, Eddie on accordion and Joe Breen (RIP) on fiddle accompanied set and figure dancers from early years practicing in Carn NS and Moygownagh Community Centre to competing in county, Connacht, and All Ireland finals. These were proud days for our club and those great memories still exist today and were made all the richer by Eddie’s enthusiasm and support.

“As a county councillor, Eddie worked tirelessly and with enthusiasm for every community in his catchment area and beyond. To him all politics were local and this is reflected in his many contributions and representations over a lifetime in service to his constituents.

“Eddie Staunton was the epitome of a GAA Club man, who gave very generously of his time, knowledge, and life experiences to enhance the community in which he lived and the wider community in which he represented. He will be remembered and his legacy will not be forgotten.” 

Fine Gael TD Michael Ring paid tribute to Eddie, who he called a "formidable character".

"He served his role as a county councillor with distinction. He worked hard for his locality and he was a very well-respected man.

“I served with Eddie on Mayo County Council and I always found him to be a thorough gentleman."

Predeceased by his brothers and sisters Tommy, Michael, Martin, Teenie, Mary Jo, Belinda and Chrissie and niece Mary, Eddie is mourned by his wife Margaret, children Geraldine, Eamonn, Mairead and Brian, adored grandchildren Lucy and Alex, sons-in-law John and Frank, daughter-in-law Sandra, brother Pat, sisters Mattie, Anne and Rita, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, godchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Requiem Mass for Eddie will be held today at 12 noon today (Tuesday) in St Cormac’s Church, Moygownagh. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.