Picture: Valerie O’Sullivan
HIS voice was as familiar as his face on the streets of Killarney where for a number of years he whiled away many hours busking in the summer months, entertaining and engaging with visitors and enjoying light-hearted banter with locals.
Now that voice is still and his trusted guitar will be strummed no more following the unexpected passing of Liam Conway O’Connor who was laid to rest this Thursday.
A native of Rathpooke, Milltown, Liam is fondly remembered in that parish for his prowess as an outstanding athlete in his young years and, in his prime, he was certainly right up there with the very best distance runners in the county and beyond.
In his boyhood and teenage years he was a major force to be reckoned with in competitions like the annual community games and the county championships and when any track and field athletics event was staged, more often than not Liam was a regular on the podium when the medals were bring distributed.
He was very proud of the many years of service he gave to the army and, as the years progressed, music became the real love of his life. He loved nothing more than picking up his guitar and belting out a song, a particular favourite being his own unique adaptation of Neil Young’s Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World.
Liam, who was aged 59, enjoyed street performance and the Market Cross in Killarney became his busking stage as he strummed and hummed at the busy pedestrian junction for a number of years.
In recent years Liam set up home in Deerpark Crescent in Killarney where he enjoyed the company of good neighbours and friends with whom he kept in regular contact.
Predeceased by his parents Patrick and Sheila, Liam is survived by his brothers Niall, Donal and Patrick, sister Kathleen, aunt Carmel, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
In accordance with government guidelines, a private family funeral was held for Liam with his Requiem Mass celebrated this Thursday morning in the Sacred Heart Church, Milltown. It was followed by burial afterwards in Milltown Cemetery.
