The small tight-knit community of Colt and Raheen is in mourning this week following the death of the widely popular Bosco Grant.
Every GAA club has a family or two that is synonymous with their fortunes – and for Colt over a long number of years one of those families is the Grants.
Bosco, who lived beside the home place in Colt, celebrated his 50th birthday before Christmas but by then he was fighting a battle with cancer that began last spring.
One of a family of ten, he was an avid GAA man and a particularly proud Colt and, in more recent years, Colt-Shanahoe man.
He was part of the club’s Junior ‘A’ hurling winning side in 1996 and later featured in a handful of intermediate finals. He also played football for the club and soccer for Raheen at various stages.
With Colt GAA club, he was a selfless worker, doing anything that needed to be done around the grounds.
In latter times he became part of Padraig Dunne’s team of umpires and was a friendly and good-humoured presence at club pitches around the county.
Only last October he did umpire for Padraig in the Laois intermediate hurling final between Clough-Ballacolla and Mountmellick in O’Moore Park.
The last match he officiated at was the U-20 hurling semi-final between Rathdowney-Errill and The Harps last November.
At this morning’s meeting of Laois Countu Council, Councillors paid tribute to the late Mr Grant.
Cllr Barry Walsh said: “Bosco is a first cousin of my wife.
“He was extremely well known for his smile on his face and his witty personality.
”He was a hurling man to the core and recently had Brian Cody and Jackie Tyrell in his sitting room.
“He had a bucket list and he bravely got through that. He never let anyone down and will be dearly missed by all who know him.”
Cllr James Kelly said: “Bosco was a great GAA man who hurled with Colt.
”We had many a great battle but he always ended it with a smile on his face.”
Bosco passed away on Sunday surrounded by his loving family and friends after an illness bravely borne.
Predeceased by his dad PJ. Loving father to sons Dylan and Callum, grandfather to Sarah Rose and Logan, beloved son of his heartbroken mother Kathleen, brother to PJ, Martin, Cathal, Carl, Michael, Sheila, Nicola, Cathariona and Annette, brother-in-law to Geraldine, Deirdre, Lisa, Tommy, Enda and John.
Deeply regretted by his loving nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, many cousins and valued circle of friends.
Reposing at his home in Colt, (R32K2K3) on Monday evening from 3 o’clock with Rosary at 8 o’clock. Removal on Tuesday evening 6.30 p.m. to St. Fintan’s Church Raheen, arriving for 7 o’clock. (House private on Tuesday evening from 5.30 p.m.)
Requiem Mass on Wednesday at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
