Noel Forde,

Westport Road, Castlebar – peacefully at Mayo University Hospital

Pre deceased by His Parents James and Maura.

Deeeply regretted by his loving daughters Nessa and Olenka (both in Canada)

brother Ken (New York) granddaughter Roisin, nieces Jessice and Jillian, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Rest in peace.

Removal from The Coady Funeral Home, Linenhall Street On Tuesday morning at 10.20 to the Church Of The Holy Rosary for Requiem Mass at 11 o’clock followed by Committal service in Shannon Crematorium at 3 o’clock.

Family flowers only.  Donations to www.vso.ie/make-donation c/o Coady Funeral Directors, Castlebar.

Noels Funeral Mass can be viewed on the Castlebar Parish Webcam http://www.castlebarparish.ie/web-cam/ or listened to on Castlebar on the Parish Radio Channel 105.3FM. www.coadysfuneralhome.ie

Anyone wishing to offer their sympathies to the family can leave a message by adding them on Condolence link below. All enquiries to Coadys Funeral Home, Linenhall Street, Castlebar 094 90 21438

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of my brother Noel Forde on July 17, 2020, at Mayo General Hospital.

Noel was born on December 19, 1951 the same month and day as our father, James Forde. He attended St. Patrick’s National school and later Cistercian College,  Roscrea where he played rugby on the school team. He studied furniture design at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario graduating with a Bachelors of Craft and Design. Noel had a passion and an eye for design and craftsmanship. He was internationally recognized and granted numerous awards. The President of Ireland and the Crafts Council of Ireland recognized him as one of the leading Furniture Designer/Makers working in Ireland.

Noel lived and worked all over the world. He spent many years in North America, residing in New York City, Fairbanks, Oakville, Hilo and, finally, in Calgary. In Canada, Noel built a canoe that he loved to paddle along the Bow River. Our mother’s (Maura Hayes Forde) most memorable overseas holiday was her trip to Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii to visit Noel and her grandchildren, Nessa and Olenka. The trip involved stopovers and plane changes in Los Angeles and Honolulu, experiences she never forgot. As Noel travelled, he brought music (singing, banjo, guitar, mandolin and the pennywhistle) with him, playing in pubs in Alaska and across Canada.

Noel returned to Ireland and worked for several years as a woodworking secondary teacher. Residing in Castlebar, Noel built a beautiful garden filled with a variety of berries, vegetables and flowers. He was an avid deep-sea diver, going as far as the Mediterranean and Red Seas. He loved an adventure and from 2013 – 2014, he had the adventure of a lifetime in Africa. Noel signed on with VSO Ireland, an aid organization involved in economic development in rural Uganda. Noel applied his skills and experience to assist with the youth development programs. He loved Uganda and its people.

Noel had a kind heart and a gentle soul. He leaves behind many friends and family. He will be greatly missed by his daughters Nessa and Olenka Forde; his granddaughter, Roisin Forde; his nieces Jessica and Jillian Forde and his cousins in the Hayes, Murray, Mundow, Hade, Stimpson, McMahon, Downey and Moynihan families.

A special work of thanks to the medical and non medical staff at Mayo General Hospital for their care and kindness to Noel these past few weeks. The family is most grateful for everything you did for Noel.

Ken, Nessa and Olenka

Kevin
Noely. Fond memories you have left with us, locked forever in the annals of our minds. Thinking back, those were indeed the very best of times.
To your family, our thoughts are with them all at this time.
Kevin and Angela Doyle.

Padraic Kilroy, Massachusetts.
So sorry Ken to hear of Noel’s death. I remember the early years in Station Road growing up together. Thank you for your beautiful obituary filling in the years. What an interesting life Noel led. You will miss him.
Paddy Kearney Westport Rd.
May he rest in peace , Memories of our childhood on the Westport Rd .
Sandra Heverin.
I was very sorry to hear if Noel’s Passing. He was a friend of my Brother Paul. I remember his family living beside my Grandparents on the Westport Road. Sincere sympathy to you all from the Heverin Family. Noel seemed to have had an amazing life up until his illness. May he now rest in peace.
Gaye Murphy (Mongan) and the Mongan family
Deepest sympathy to Kenneth, Nessa and Olenka. Our mothers, Maura and Lena spent many hours chatting on Westport Road. May Noel rest in peace.
Wendy Palmer
I did not know Noel well but i met him whilst volunteering for the Ispcc. So sorry to hear of his passing. I knew he travelled extensively and had volunteered in Africa. He came to thd volunteer night in Kilkenny in 2011. Gone too early. So sorry for your loss RIP
Padraic Walsh, Ballymacragh.
Ken.....very sorry to hear of Noel’s passing. R.I.P.
Tony Boland
My deepest sympathies to all the Forde family. Noel was one of life's true gentlemen. We were dive buddies on many dives on the west coast of Ireland. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all his dive buddies in the Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
Catherine Fitzgibbon nee Kearney
My deepest sympathy to all the Forde family and to noels friends on his untimely death, May his gentle soul rest in peace forever he will be missed by many all over the world ,❤️
Daly family, Westport Road
Our deepest sympathies to Kenneth, Nessa and Olenka on the death of Noel.
May he rest in peace.

Peter and Anne Jennings Carrowbrinogue
Sincere sympathies to Ken, Nessa and Olenka .He had such a amazing life and a first class trades man.I had the pleasure of getting to know Noel through My work about 14 Years ago He was also very private person .He was very kind to Me when I was struck down with the same Illness as Himself 12 years ago ...He always had words of incouragement when He would visit Me in Hospital.God rest His He wil be sadly missed around Castlebar and futher a field .
Padraic & Mary Lyons
Deepest sympathy to the Forde family on the passing of Noel. R.I.P
Tommy & Hilary Butler, Pheasanthill Castlebar.
Sincere sympathy to the Forde Family, so sorry to hear of Noel's death,a very talented man and always enjoyed having conversation with him,rest in peace Noel.
Cathal and Johanna Kearney and Family, Westport Road, Castlebar
Sincere sympathies Ken, Nessa and Olenka. We have fond memories of growing up with Noel and yourself Ken on the Westport Road. God rest Noel's gentle, creative soul.
Chris walsh
Rest in peace Noel I was honoured to have known you. Sincere symptoms to all his family. Rip
Robinson family Westport road castlebar
Sincere sympathy to the Forde family. Rest in peace Noel.
Jack and Maisie Loftus,Marian Row ,formally Saint Patricks Avenue.
Sympathy to all the family.
Anonymous
Sounds an amazing person who had an amazing life...... Rip
Maurice O malley
Sorry to hear of Noels death r.i.p,
Trevor Ardill Carmel Mc Donald Ardill Mount Gordon
Our deepest sympathy to Nessa Olenka and Ken on the sad passing of Noel rest in peace Noel

Hoban Family Westport Road
We are so sorry to learn of Noel's sad passing.. What an amazing and fruitful life he lived.
Our sincere condolences to you Ken, Nessa, Olenka and extended family on your great loss. May you be consoled in your sadness by his rich legacy.
May Noel rest in peace.
Anne, Brendan, Carmel, Sheila, Ber, John and Claire Hoban

Brendan Hoban SSC Columban Fathers
Sincere sympathy to Ken, Nessa, Olenka and all relatives and friends on sad occasion of Noel's death. Big loss to us on the Westport Rd who grew up together. May he rest in peace. Offered Mass and prayers for Noel and all family.
Brendan Murphy
Sorry to hear of Noel's passing, a lovely man, got to know Noel through craft fairs here in Mayo. RIP Noel.
Eamon and Kathleen Courell
Sincere sympathy to the family on the death of Noel.
Austin and Teresa Westport Road
Sincere sympathy's to Ken and the Ford family on the passing of Noel
May he rest in peace

Tony and Monica Conway,Westport Road
Our sincere sympathy on the death of Noel. R.I.P.
Noel and Margaret Kearney
Condolences to all the Forde family on the sad passing of Noel.
Sean Corcoran, Belcarra
Deepest sympathy to all Noel's family, from a St. Patrick’s National school mate. May he rest in peace.
Bridie Heneghan
Sincere sympathy on the passing of Noel. May he rest in peace.
Gaye and Fintan Murphy, Mountgordon
Deepest sympathy to Ken Nessa and Olenka and all your families on Noel’s untimely passing. May Noel’s gentle soul rest in peace.
Pat and Catherine Fitzgibbon Westport rd nee Kearney
It was with sadness that I read of Noels death Our condolences to all his family and May his gentle soul rest in peace friends His achievements spanned the world together with is kindnesss ,to people ,
Dick Heraty, Cloonkeen Castlebar
So sorry to hear of Noel's passing, may he rest in peace. I worked with Noel in St. Patrick's Hospital in Dublin in the early 70's. He told me of his success in Canada some years ago. Again my condolences to you. Dick
Frank and Ann Boland
Our sincere sympathy on the death of Noel R. I.P.
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