OBITUARIES

Devoted footballer, railroader Patrick J. Tangney, 88

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Patrick J. Tangney, a native of Listry Parish, Faha, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, and a longtime resident of Riverdale, passed away peacefully in his sleep July 16, 2017.

Born May 6, 1929, as a young man, he was an avid Gaelic football player in Kerry, starting for the 1951 Kerry club champions Dick Fitzgeralds/Dr. Crokes. Before his death, he learned he was to be inducted into the GAA Gaelic Football Hall of Fame. 

He immigrated to the United States on the Cunard Line ship RMS Mauretania in 1955, and lived and worked the rest of his life in New York City. He joined the New York Central Railroad, working as a signal maintainer with the New York Central as well as its successor railroads Penn Central and Amtrak, until his retirement.

After his retirement, he became an avid golfer, and was regularly seen at the Van Cortlandt Golf Course. 

He took great pride in his gardens, and his “green thumb” was remarked upon by visitors to his home. 

He also was active in the local community, where he had a particular focus on helping the homeless.

In his later years, his grandchildren Thomas and Kailyn provided an immense amount of joy to him, and earlier when they were children, his nephew Patrick’s sons Patrick and Kevin likewise were a source of tremendous joy.

He is survived by his daughter Deirdre, son Patrick, grandchildren Thomas and Kailyn, nieces Jill Gettinger, Mary Stern, Breida Tangney, Mary Treacy, Agnes Howard and nephews Patrick and Sean Tangney, James O’Mahony, Jeremiah and Patrick Howard, as well as sister Eileen.

His wife Mary, daughter Colleen, brothers William and Michael, and sister Noreen preceded him in death.

A Mass of Christian burial was scheduled to take place Tuesday, July 25. 

Patrick J. Tangney,