Poignant tribute to the late Noel Stanley
Tullamore Citizen's Information Service has penned a poignant poem to mark the contribution that their much-loved colleague, the late Noel Stanley, made to the service during his many years as a volunteer.
Noel, who lived at 11 O'Molloy Street in Tullamore, and was one of the last surviving veterans of the Siege of Jadotville in the Congo in 1961, passed away on February 17 last.
He was a retired Sergeant with the Irish Defence Forces, and was on his second tour of duty in the Congo with the A Company of the 35th Infantry Battalion in August 1961 when they came under attack by a vastly superior force made up of international mercenaries and members of the Katangese rebel army.
Recalling the battle in an interview with James Durney for 'Ireland's Military Story' the Clara native recalled how he broke up several Kataganese attacks with his Bren gun. “‘I used up about 100 mags’ (thirty rounds in each) and wore out a few spare barrels,” he said. The soldier, who had previously toured the Congo with the 32nd Infantry Battalion also said “when the fighting started, we never left the trenches. The only time I left them was when we moved in from the outer trenches into the houses. Father Fagan gave us general absolution while we were in the trenches. I thought he was a very brave man.”
For over a quarter of a century after his retirement from the army, the late Noel Stanley gave much of his time to working as a volunteer with the Citizens Information Centre in Tullamore where was extremely popular and well-liked by his colleagues and clients alike.
Sinead Tynan, Development Manager, Laois & Offaly Citizen's Information Service (CIS) said Noel was “so loved in the service by both staff and clients, and he is deeply missed.”
Susan Ryan, Regional Manager of South Leinster Citizens Information Service, posted the following tribute: “For over 30 years, Noel was a beloved volunteer with Tullamore CIS. We all cared deeply for Noel and he will be missed terribly. RIP Noel.”
Paddy Doheny from the Tullamore Branch of ONE said his late colleague, who was the local Branch Chairperson, will be “sadly missed by his many ONE friends and comrades.”
As a mark of the huge contribution the late Noel Stanley made to the Tullamore Citizens Information Service, one of his colleagues, Sarah Kavanagh, penned the following poem above in his honour:
Our Noel
He walks into the office with the smell of home cooked food
The office begins to brighten up with his ability to lift our mood
He calls in to say hello carrying a bunch of betting slips
Give me your lucky three numbers and I'll ask Philip for any tips
The social fund starts building up when he walks into the place.
He has already planned for us to go to the dogs for a race.
He keeps the office ship shape as he gives all a task
He has his highlighter out oh no he has a question to ask
An omelette maker is needed and that I must insist
Never mind a coffee machine, Susan add that to your list.
He spends his day helping people out and his nature is so sincere
He has compassion for all he meets making him a wonderful volunteer
When the clock turns one that familiar beckon can be heard
There is no allowance for eating at your desk, the idea is just absurd
We descend into the kitchen and find the kitchen is full of steam
He rolls his eyes as Chris asks "is this laced with loads of cream
For God sake sit down there will ya and I will hand you over your plate
Eat up that for your lunch you know that will just have to wait.
He brings us all together and we know we are guaranteed a laugh
When our Noel Stanley is around he brings out a smile on all the staff.
The late Noel Stanley is predeceased by his loving wife, Margaret, and is survived by his sons Raymond, Padraig and Noel, daughters Regina, Carol and Elaine, sisters Rose and Dympna, grandchildren, relatives and his many friends.
He is laid to rest in Clonminch Cemetery.