Sadness at untimely death of Alan Dunbar
THE UNTIMELY passing of Alan Dunbar of Allenwood Drive on January 1 last, at the age of 37, was met with deep shock and sadness by all who knew and loved him.
A loving father to two young sons, Alan had many friends in the local area, and will be sorely missed. He grew up in Gorey, attending the Loreto and then the Gorey CBS, before going to work for a brief period in Terry Redmond's butchers. He later went to work in Stafford's Bakery, where he remained for the next seventeen years.
He was remembered by his employers as fast with his hands and light on his feet, and he really loved his work, and never missed a day in his seventeen years working there.
Alan was a keen Arsenal supporter, and went on many trips to the UK to see them play. He was also a former member of the local Arsenal Supporters' Club. A sociable young man, Alan often met up with friends to watch a game in The Fowler or Mcgoverns.
In his younger years, he played soccer with Gorey Rangers, and also played football and hurling with his school until an accident at the age of eleven. However, he continued to play soccer in later years, and he passed his love of the game so his sons.
He loved going to matches to see his boys play. Adam (14) is a talented goalie with Gorey Rangers, while Scott ( 7) is a keen hurler and footballer with Naomh Eanna, and also plays soccer with Gorey Rangers. Alan was so proud of both his sons, and travelled everywhere with them every weekend to watch them play. He was a loving father, son and brother.
In years gone by, he also played golf, and was a member of the Bunker Golf Society.
He was husband to Gillian, and loving father to Adam and Scott, and is also deeply regretted by his loving parents Margaret and Paddy, sisters Lesley and Carol, and was pre-deceased by his brother Ian. He is also survived by his grandmother Catherine Dunbar, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephew Ross, and a wide circle of family, friends, and neighbours.
There was a huge turnout for his Funeral Mass at St. Michael's Church, Gorey, on January 3, a sign of the widespread affection in which he was held. He was laid to rest alongside his brother Ian in St. Michael's Cemetery afterwards. May he Rest in Peace.
