Dedicated family man Noely was life and soul of the party

NOELY Ennis, a popular and lifelong resident of Newtown Park in Tallaght, passed away last Thursday in the home he was born in, at 82-years-of-age, after a long illness.

A dedicated family man, Noely was born in his parents’ house in Newtown Park, where he went on to raise his own children Mark, Lisa and Alison, alongside his devoted wife Jean.

Noely’s daughters, Lisa and Alison, told The Echo about their fond memories of their father and his sociable personality.

“He was very bubbly,” remembered Alison. “For somebody that never drank, he was always the life and soul of the party. He’d be the first one on the dance floor.

“He used to train me when I played camogie in Thomas Davis. He was well into his 50s then, and we were all around 18 and 19, but he was fitter than all of us.

“He kept very fit. He used to play on an over 40s football team.”

Outside of GAA, Noely was also a keen soccer fan and player, and was instrumental in founding Newtown Rangers FC.

As a young soccer player, he played at League of Ireland level for St Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda, but his favourite team was Manchester United.

However, the love of his life was his wife, Jean. The couple met in a dance hall in Tallaght Village in 1960, and married in 1962, before going on to build a family together.

Noely with great-grandson Alfie

“You never saw one of them without the other,” said Lisa. “He was a big family man, and he just adored Mammy.

“They were as in love now as they were in their 20s. I never heard them argue. They would’ve been 60 years married next year.”

Noely also forged strong connections with his neighbours in Newtown Park, where he was born on Christmas Day in 1938.

He worked locally after finishing school at St Mary’s Boys’ School in Tallaght Village – where St Basil’s is now located – when he was 14.

Like many other Newtown Park residents, Noely worked at Urney’s Chocolate Factory until it closed down in 1980.

Then he worked in the Telectron electronics factory, which is where Bryan S Ryan is now located, but gave up his job so his son, Mark, could have his role in the factory.

He worked for drinks manufacturer Gilbey’s up to his retirement, and in recent years took great joy in seeing his growing family, including many grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” added Lisa. “He adored us all.”

Noely had been undergoing treatment for cancer in Tallaght University Hospital, and he made his family promise to bring him back, in his final days, to the house that had been his lifelong home.

“It was a promise we made to him when we were in the hospital with him,” said Alison. “He told us that he wanted to go home.

“We promised him that we would get him home, no matter what it took. I’m so happy that we got him home – that was his wish.”

Noely died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, last Thursday, August 19.

“We’re broken-hearted,” said Alison. “We’re all devastated. Even though we knew it was coming, it’s still so difficult.”

Lisa added: “I think he took a little piece of everyone with him. But the way we pulled together as family…I think he would’ve been proud.”

Noely is survived by his wife Jean, his son Mark, and his daughters Alison and Lisa.

He is sadly missed by his heartbroken family, grandchildren, great grandchildren, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, brother, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and large circle of friends.

Noely’s funeral Mass was held last Saturday, August 21, in St Mary’s Priory, followed by cremation at the chapel in Newlands Cross.