The Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club has paid an emotional tribute to long-time and hugely popular member Vincent Lacke who passed away, suddenly, at the weekend.
A native of Hickory Hills, Illinois, Vincent had settled in Killarney where he lived in Dennehy’s Bohereen with his sister, Mary, her husband, Mike Lyne, and family.
Vincent joined the Kerry Stars in 2000 and participated in both athletics and soccer as well as enrolling for the Athlete Leadership Programme.
He represented the club in Munster regional competitions and was twice selected for the Munster squad for the All-Ireland games in soccer, winning silver medals in 2016 and 2018.
As well as his sporting achievements, he was a constant presence in all other club activities, including the St Patrick’s Day parades, the annual black tie ball and the Killarney Rotary Club wine and art night.
“Vincent was always to the fore in our many fundraising endeavours over the years and, indeed, he was involved in the sale of or 2025 calendars in Killarney Outlet Centre just a week before his passing,” the club said.
“Vincent will be missed by all in the Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club and, on behalf of all our members, the club management team would like to extend our deepest sympathy to his sisters, Mary and Lorraine, to Mary’s husband Mike and family and to the extended Lacke family,” the club said in a statement issued to KillarneyToday.com.
The son of the late Vincent and Charlotte Lacke and dearly loved brother of Mary and Lorraine, Vincent is further survived by brothers-in-law Mike Lyne and Mike Krzywosz, his nieces Lucy and Mary Kate, nephews Matthew, Peter and Brendan, aunt Janet, uncle Don, relatives, neighbours, his many friends in the Kerry Stars, St John of Gods and his former colleagues in Tesco, Killarney.
Reposing at O’Shea’s Funeral Home this Thursday from 4.30pm to 6.30pm will be followed by removal to St Mary’s Cathedral.
Requiem Mass for Vincent will take place at 10.30am on Friday followed by burial afterwards in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery. The Requiem Mass will be live streamed on https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral
The family has asked for donations in lieu of flowers, if desired, to be made to the Kerry Stars.
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