Ken Smollen was "a good man who touched the lives of many"

The funeral Mass for well-known Midlands charity campaigner and former Offaly councillor, Ken Smollen, heard him described this morning (Monday) as “a good man who touched the lives of so many” and left “an indelible mark” on all who knew him.

The well-known food poverty activist, who was 63 years old, passed away peacefully on Friday last, July 12, in the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, having been diagnosed with lung cancer in May of last year.

In his homily, chief celebrant at the funeral Mass. Fr. Damien Budau, told a packed congregation in the Church of the Assumption in Tullamore that the late Ken Smollen was a man with “a big heart and and a generous spirit” who had learned the twin values of family and community from an early age having grown up “in a bustling household” with four siblings in his native Tullamore.

While serving as a member of An Garda Siochána, he had displayed “courage and a commitment to justice” said Fr. Damien. Following his retirement he had “not slowed down” as he turned his attention to public service as a serving member of Offaly County Council and became a charity activist with the establishment of the Ken Smollen Food Appeal. “His big heart and generous spirit was evident in every meal he provided, every smile he gave and every good deed he did” said Fr. Budau, who was joined for the funeral Mass by Fr. Luke Ohiemi from Clara parish.

The Mass heard that Ken Smollen was “a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend to many” who never missed “a single hurling or football game” that his adored grandchildren took part in, and was a dedicated family man. “His children told me in recent days that he was not only a father to them, but also a guide and a mentor who encouraged them to be active members of the community and to strive to be good citizens” said Fr. Damien.

The family had also told him that, in the final days of their father's illness, he had “found solace” in the Chapel at Tullamore Hospital where he spent time “talking to God in his own way.”

During the Prayers of the Faithful, prayers were said for the doctors, nurses, chaplain and staff of the oncology ward and the Brosna ward inTullamore Hospital, who had cared for Ken Smollen during his illness. His late parents and parents-in-law were also remembered in the prayers, as were his late daughters, Anne Marie and Kate, while prayers were also said for all those battling illness.

The late Ken Smollen's death was announced by his family in a post on his Facebook page last Friday which read: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that we, Ken's family, have to tell you that Ken passed away peacefully just after 1pm today.

"We wish to thank you all for your continuous support, thoughts and prayers."

He is deeply missed by his loving wife Sandy, daughters Keira and Leonie, his grandchildren Greg Jnr, Ross, Ben, Finn, Mia and Fay, Leonie's husband Greg, Keira's partner Séan, brother Dermot, sisters Karen, Valerie and Laura, sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews and a wide circle of family and friends.

He will be laid to rest in The Monastery Cemetery, Clara later this morning.