Richard ‘Do Do’ Lawlor was a great character
TRIBUTES poured in as news broke of the passing of Richard ‘Do Do’ Lawlor of Coolcotts Court on Monday. Described as “one of the great characters of Wexford town”, Richard passed away surrounded by family following a short illness.
The grandfather of current Wexford senior hurler Richie Lawlor, Richard, or Do Do as he was affectionately known, was an extremely well-known and liked character in his hometown.
A former taxi driver, he was skilled in the art of conversation and had a word for everyone he met. On a couple of occasions Do Do dipped a toe into the world of politics. Having been an active member of the Labour Party for decades, he decided to leave the party and run as an independent when he failed to get the party’s nomination to contest the local election in 2005.
On that occasion, he narrowly missed out, only losing out on the final count to the Green Party’s Danny Forde. He also threw his hat into the ring for the 2013 local election. While his forays into politics may not have been successful, he nevertheless remained passionate about his hometown and it was something that never left him in the years since.
Do Do also loved his sports and was an active member of the St John’s Volunteers GAA Club.
In a tribute, the club said: “The Lawlor family are stepped in the Volunteers Club. Do Do himself served on the committee and was involved in looking after teams. His sons Nicky and Mikey both played for the club and helped look after teams. Also his grandchildren Dylan, Jason, Michael, Nicole, Nicky and Richie have all represented the club at different levels.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Do Do’s family and friends at this sad time. May he rest in peace.”
Richard was also a renowned greyhound man and was regularly seen out walking the dogs and attending meets at Enniscorthy Greyhound Track, who also paid a moving tribute to him.
“News reached us at the showgrounds of the sad passing of one of the many characters of the Ross Road track,” it said. “As people fondly spoke about him and recalled great stories last night, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time. May he rest in peace.”
Richard is survived by his loving wife Mary, children Nicholas, Michael, Teresa (Johnny), Richard and Ger; son-in-law Trevor; daughters-in-law Jackie, Laura, Kara and Katie; His 13 grandchildren and his 4 great-grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by his daughterin-law Rosie.
Richard’s remains will be reposing at his residence, 27 Coolcotts Court on Wednesday (July 24) from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with removal on Thursday morning to St Alphonsus Church, Barntown, for funeral mass at 12 noon. Burial will take place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.