Tullamore Musical Society pays warm tribute to late Mick Gunning

Tullamore Musical Society members are in mourning this week following the passing of one of their stalwart members whose remarkable dedication to the society he loved spanned over six decades.

Mick Gunning passed away at his home on Knockowen Road yesterday (Monday, June 9) surrounded by his loving family, and Tullamore Musical Society has paid a warm tribute to one of their most beloved members, describing his contribution to the society as “immeasurable.”

In a touching Facebook tribute, Tullamore Musical Society said the late Mick Gunning, alongside his late wife, Catherine, who passed away in 2018, were “the warm, familiar faces” who welcomed generations of audiences to productions. “From showing people to their seats to selling raffle tickets at the interval, from late-night tidying to early arrival preparations” the Gunnings were ever present and willing to do whatever jobs needed to be done.

The society said Mick carried out every task “with humility, care, and an unwavering dedication to the society he loved” having first joined the group in 1961 for their production of Cinderella. “His commitment was not flashy or loud, but it was deeply felt. He understood that the magic of a performance doesn’t begin on stage, it begins at the door, in the simple act of making people feel at home” said the tribute.

The late Mick Gunning received due recognition for his many years of dedication to his beloved musical society when, in 2001, he won the prestigious national Association of Irish Musical Society (AIMS) award for Front of House Manager.

The Gunning name has been synonymous with Tullamore Musical Society ever since the late Mick Gunning first joined the society in 1961, with his son, Brian, following in his father's footsteps when he became a member in 1979 and has been an active member ever since.

The late Mick Gunning was blessed with a warm, calm and gentle disposition which endeared him to everyone he met, and made him an indispensable member of Tullamore Musical Society, whose members said he made “every performance shine a little brighter”

Mick will be sadly missed and always remembered by his loving daughters Maureen and Catherine, sons Brian, Mick and John, son in law Tom, daughters in law Michelle, Marie and Áine, grandchildren Peter, Áine, Aisling, Kate, Hugh, Eimear, Sarah, Daniel, Michael, Ali and Iarla, sisters Carmel, Maureen, Anna and Rosie (Deceased), brother John, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and his many friends.

FUNERAL DETAILS:

The remains of the late Mick Gunning will repose at his home (Knockowen Road, Tullamore, Eircode: R35 C522) tomorrow, Wednesday, June 11, from 4pm until Rosary at 8pm.

Removal on Thursday morning (June 12) at 9.40am to the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, arriving for Funeral Mass at 10am. Burial after Mass in St. Colmcille's Cemetery, Durrow.

House private on Thursday morning, please.

Funeral Mass can be viewed on: https://tullamoreparish.com/tullamore-webcam/