There was huge sadness across Gowran Parish and beyond with the passing of Tommy Harding on Monday 9th December. Tommy was a much loved character who was a Liverpool fanatic, and for several years he was a very popular member on stage with The Gowran Pantomime Society where he performed alongside his close friend John Walsh.
Tommy was based in Kingsriver Community, Ennisnag where he was looked after by the wonderful team with the most wonderful care, and he was part of a wide range of activities in the centre. He was also part of SOS Kilkenny and his engaging and outgoing personality helped him make friends easily.
He enjoyed so many great days out with his great friend Tony McDonagh as they often travelled around together, and one year both Tommy and Tony enjoyed a memorable holiday together in Australia.
Tommy was also a supporter of Young Irelands and Kilkenny Hurling, and he was a lucky mascot to the Young Irelands Teams that won County Senior Finals in 1996 and 2002.
As mentioned he was a Liverpool fanatic, and it was only most fitting and apporiate and fitting that You’ll Never Walk Alone was played at the end of his funeral mass. Tommy passed away peacefully on 9th December 2024, surrounded by his family in the care of the wonderful team at Kingsriver Community.
Predeceased by his parents Anna and Jim, Tommy will be sadly missed by his sisters Mary and Anne, his brothers, Jim, John and Philip, and his extended family and many friends and also sadly missed by his adopted family in Kingsriver Community and all his housemates and friends in SOS Kilkenny.
His months mind mass is expected to take place this weekend, weekending 12th January.
