Joe Bardon – a lover of sport and travel

The news of Joe Bardon’s passing was met with shock and disbelief around Mullingar and further afield over the weekend. Joe died while on holiday in Portugal on Thursday of last week.

Joe Bardon was one of Mullingar’s most popular sons. He had a friendly word for all whom he met – be they neighbours, his legions of friends, or strangers he met on his constant travels.

A psychiatric nurse by profession, Joe had retired from St Loman’s Hospital staff some years ago. Since then he was able to indulge even more in his love of travel. Joe had an amazing recall of all the trips he took and the places he had seen. Music was another passion of his and he travelled to concerts all over the world.

Joe was a great sportsman: an accomplished footballer and hurler, he played football for St Loman’s Club and managed to wear the Westmeath jersey – in spite of himself! He played hurling for a number of clubs including Pearses and Raharney. He was involved in a few county finals – without winning any of them.

But it was to squash that Joe gave his most. A highly accomplished player, Joe travelled to squash opens all over Ireland and Britain, where he won many awards. Nobody left a greater mark on the success of Mullingar Squash Club in its heyday. Joe served for 10 years as club chairman and it is no coincidence that his chairmanship coincided with the club’s greatest era. His input to the popularity of the game was immeasurable. This may come as a surprise to many, but another game Joe was a connoisseur of was cricket. He also had an amazing knowledge of soccer players and could tell you the history of every footballer, not only every Premiership player, but those of continental clubs as well.

Joe Bardon was a good, kind and generous man. Anybody who ever was lucky enough to be his friend will tell you that he was the most loyal friend one could possibly have. He will be greatly missed by one and all.

The greatest loss is for his children, Nicola and Ger and his four grandchildren, Sean, Liam, Leigh, and Ava Grace; as well as his brother, Maurice. Joe was the ever-helpful daddy, the adoring grandad, and the caring brother.

Joe was predeceased by his wife, Winnie, 12 years ago.

Joe never wanted to be made a fuss of during his lifetime, and his wishes were that his departure from this world would be in that same vein. A small family ceremony at a Portuguese crematorium was how he chose to make his exit.

Joe Bardon ‘did it his way’ and Nicola and Ger very appropriately sent him off on his final trip to the sound of ‘I did it my Way’ and ‘Rockin’ all over the World’.

Rest in peace, Amigo.

– Bernie Comaskey