Image source: RIP.ie
THE late David O’Connell, the hugely popular retired chef who has passed away, was a legendary personality in the Killarney hospitality industry and a key part of the team at the Great Southern Hotel for over 50 years.
During that time, the dedicated David was part of a top class culinary crew that cooked for presidents, taoisigh, ministers, royalty, business leaders and a whole host of celebrity guests, including film director David Lean and many of the cast of the epic Ryan’s Daughter in the late 1960’s.
David – remembered by colleagues as Davey – joined the GSH staff as a trainee chef, at the age of 15, in 1956. It started a long, dedicated and distinguished career in the hotel’s busy kitchens where he worked until his retirement in June 2006 after which he spent many happy hours in his immaculate garden.
He is remembered very fondly by a whole generation of fellow employees as a thorough gentleman, hugely dedicated to his work and a kind, generous and loyal colleague to work alongside.
Predeceased by his wife, Josie (née Hambrough), David is dearly loved father of Maeve and he is further survived by his sister Maureen, brother Michael, brother-in-law Pat Malone, sisters-in-law Imelda O’Connell and Margaret O’Donoghue, nieces and nephews, relatives, neighbours, many great friends and his former work colleagues in the Great Southern Hotel.
Reposing at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney on Friday evening from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, the funeral will arrive at the Prince of Peace Church, Fossa at 10.45am on Saturday for Requiem Mass at 11.00am, followed by burial in Old Aghadoe Cemetery, Killarney.
The Requiem Mass for David (Davey) will be live streamed on https://churchmedia.tv/camera/fossa-parish.
