Willie ‘loved helping people and sharing his knowledge’

FORMER Tallaght Person of the Year Willie Young has been remembered for his enduring impact on young people in Tallaght through the 70s, 80s and 90s, after recently passing away at age 85.

Willie grew up in Portland Row in the inner city and later moved to Homelawn Avenue in Tallaght with his wife, Mary.

The couple arrived in Tallaght in 1973, and they quickly encountered a dire need for youth services in the area – and decided to do something about it.

They set up youth clubs in St Muireann’s House in Dominic’s, and later in the Dominic’s Community Centre.

Willie was instrumental in the development of a community centre in the area, having successfully petitioned local politicians to get behind the project with the aim of helping young people.

Betty Whelan, the chairperson of Dominic’s Community Centre, told The Echo: “Willie had a big impact on the youth, and keeping them off the streets.

“He was a mentor and he loved sharing things with them and getting them involved. He wanted to keep the kids off the streets and not let them go down the wrong path.

“Years ago in Tallaght, there was talking of bringing in the army – it was that bad in Dominic’s.”

Willie’s primary legacy has been the success of the young people he mentored in the youth clubs and an athletics club, and his work was recognised when he was Tallaght Person of the Year 2002.

He jointly received this accolade alongside his wife Mary, as the duo formed an inseparable team and would’ve been 63 years married this Valentine’s Day.

Mary told The Echo that her husband had a knack for recognising the young people he had mentored – even after several decades had passed and they were adults – and he took delight in seeing their success.

The memories of his time running the youth clubs are still strong, according to Betty, who said that many of the people who attended look back on that time fondly.

“A lot of them have come up to me and said they had a great time with Willie, they had great memories of him, and he was a great guide to them,” she said.

“Willie was very obliging. If he could do something for you, he’d do it without hesitation.

“He only ever wanted to do good for people. He loved helping people and sharing his knowledge.”

Willie, who retired from HB ice creams 25 years ago and used to mix the colours for the products, was also a dedicated family man to Mary and their sons, David and Andrew, and their grandchildren.

Willie’s granddaughter, Amber, told The Echo: “He was more of a best friend to me.

“I wrote his eulogy, and I said it would’ve taken him a few hours to write it, because he taught me how to write, but it took me three days.

“You wouldn’t find anyone else with the heart of gold that he had, and everything he did was always for everyone else’s benefit.

“He made you believe that no matter what, nothing’s impossible. He lived a fulfilled life, and he was happy with everything he achieved.

“And what he achieved was helping other people – he wasn’t one bit selfish in any way.”

Willie Young passed away peacefully at Tallaght University Hospital on Wednesday, January 10.

His funeral was held in St Dominic’s Church on January 14, followed by burial in Bohernabreena Cemetery.