Over €27k raised following Offaly man’s death in NZ
Over €27,000 has been raised to help the family of a South Offaly emigrant who passed away in New Zealand last week.
Bill Lalor died suddenly last Friday in his adopted home of Auckland, where he lived with his wife Sinead and one year old son Liam. The couple moved to New Zealand in 2013.
According to a post on the crowd funding website, givealittle.co.nz, firefighter Bill was the main income earner in the family as Sinead is currently on maternity leave.
At the time of going to press on Thursday afternoon, in the six days since the fundraising campaign was started over $46,000 New Zealand dollars (€27,000) has been raised.
Bill, from Mount Heaton, was a popular member of his local community in Ballyskenach in Offaly, close to the Tipperary border. The local GAA club, Ballyskenach-Killavilla, paid a moving tribute to its former member.
"Our community is in shock after hearing of the untimely passing of one of our club members Bill Lalor. Bill played with Ballyskenach in every grade and was part of the golden generation who won county minor a titles in 1990, worked there way from there to win a Junior A championship in 1994, followed this up by winning an Intermediate title in 1995, contested a Senior semi-final in 1999 and senior final in 2003 in what was an amazing time for our club. Bill was a vital part of our club and represented us with pride and skill during all those great years before moving with Sinead to Kerry and then New Zealand.
"We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the extended Lalor Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this terribly difficult time."
Bill's widow Sinead posted a message on her husband's Facebook page this week, thanking people for their support. She also paid tribute to her late husband, who she described as "the love of my life".
"Thank you so much for all your private messages and telephone calls, I have been reading them and my heart is so full from all the people who have reached out. I have been overwhelmed by how many lives Bill touched and the memories people have shared. I have been so very touched by the generosity of people. I can’t even comprehend it, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I will be forever grateful.
"My best friend Bill, I will always love you and remember you and thank you for giving me the most wonderful gift, the love you gave me and the most precious gift of all, Liam. Thank you, until we meet again. You will have my whole heart, forever."
Mr Lalor will repose at his sister's home in Roscrea on Monday, December 23 from 4pm with rosary at 8pm. Removal on the morning of Tuesday 24th (House strictly private), arriving in St Cronan's Church, Roscrea (E53 PK82) for Funeral Mass at 10am. Private cremation to take place afterwards in Shannon Crematorium at 1pm. House strictly private on Sunday please.
He is deeply regretted by his loving wife Sinéad and son Liam, parents Colm and Bernie, brother Morgan, sisters Nicola, Ann-Marie and Clodagh, grandmother Eileen Hynes, and the Duffin family - parents Rory and Gertie and siblings Colin, Niamh, Ciarán and Aoife, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.