Albert Morris, a former colleague at the Westmeath Examiner
It is with deep regret we record the passing of our former colleague at the Westmeath Examiner, Albert Morris of 2 St Loman’s Terrace, Mullingar. Albert passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at Tullamore Hospital on Wednesday last, September 23.
A native of White Rock View, Wexford, Albert was a printer by profession, like his father and his brothers before him. With printing in his blood, it was no surprise when he took up an apprenticeship in the Wexford People at a young age.
In the mid-1950s, the late Kevin Cadigan, also from Wexford, was manager of the Westmeath Examiner and he recruited Albert to come to Mullingar, where he was to spend the next 64 years.
During his time at the Examiner, Albert worked on the old hot metal Letterpress system and was one of the best printers in the business. In the early 1970s he, along with two of his Examiner colleagues, Dick Hogan and Tommy Kiernan, branched out and founded the Topic Newspaper.
Subsequently, Albert set up his own successful printing business in Patrick Street, bringing to it the skills and professionalism that had always been his trademark.
Albert Morris arrived in Mullingar on a Monday and the next night, at the farmers’ dance in the County Hall, he met the love of his life, Eileen Crowley. In 1959, in an historic double wedding, Albert married Eileen and her sister, Mary, married Paddy Kenny in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar.
Albert and Eileen were married 62 years and during that time their love and faith were tested with the tragic death of their eldest son, Bertie, at the age of 19 and last year, the death of their son Conor.
Albert loved sport and he enjoyed "the craic" with friends on Sundays out hunting rabbits with his treasured ferrets.
He also took great pleasure in watching Wexford hurling, women’s boxing, horse racing, cycling and in fact, most sports.
He loved cycling from the time he got his first bike as a young boy and cycled over many parts of the country. His late son Bertie was also a cycling enthusiast and after much persuasion, he and Albert founded the Mullingar Cycling Club, the precursor of the Lakeside Wheelers, along with another Examiner stalwart, the late Johnny Hannify, who died on April 4 last.
Albert was also a great singer; he had a strong tenor voice that he modelled on Count John McCormack, Frank Patterson and Mario Lanza.
For a time, he had lived with his grandparents in Wexford, across the road from the Wexford Opera House, where he would surreptitiously watch the rehearsals and so was inspired to try singing. He would sing almost anywhere, at any time and was a joy to hear.
Predeceased by his sons, Bertie and Conor, his parents, Thomas and Kathleen, and his brothers Dave, John, Joe, Jim and Tommy, Albert will be sadly missed by his loving wife Eileen, sons David, Vinny and Greg, daughters-in-law Mary, Nora, Catherine and Melanie, his brothers Frank and Eddie, sisters, Margaret, Elizabeth, Bernie, Mabel, Kathleen, Christine, Patricia and Ann, his adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Albert’s funeral Mass was in the Cathedral of Christ The King with burial afterwards in Ballyglass Cemetery. Mark Kirwan gave a moving rendition of Albert’s favourite Wexford song, ‘Boulavogue’, at the graveside.