LOUIS POWER died somewhat unexpectedly on December 4th, 2009. Louis wrote Kevin, the biography of Archbishop of Dublin, Kevin McNamara, and continued to write prolifically up until his death. He was well known as a letter writer and occasional contributor to this newspaper.
He was born in 1930 outside Dublin city, one of five boys which included two sets of twins. Louis's eldest brother, Richard, was the author of Ull i mbarr an gheagain, The Land of Youthand The Hungry Grass, among others, but he died aged 41. Louis's twin brother Victor published the English translation of his brother's original work: Apple on the Treetopprior to his death, aged 56. Several men in Louis's family had died prematurely due to heart disease, and Louis was the first male Power for a number of generations to survive beyond middle age.
Louis worked as a civil servant in the meteorological office for 36 years before retiring at age 54 when he suffered a heart attack. When he took early retirement in 1985, it’s fair to say that this offered him a new lease of life, both due to his wife’s determined encouragement and his membership of a lay ecumenical organisation. He wrote many articles on a wide range of subjects, from spiritual themes to articles of general interest, oftentimes to correct what he perceived as unfair or inaccurate information on topics of morality and social justice, frequently related to the Catholic Church which he loved.
Louis believed in practising what he preached – although in his personal relationships he preached seldom and was more committed to doing what he believed was the right thing.
He considered himself concurrently ethically conservative and socially liberal and was not wedded to any one political persuasion. He was a tireless worker for the St Vincent de Paul, the Pro-Life campaign, a chairman of his local residents’ association, and many other political, parish and community activities, including meals-on-wheels.
Louis was a man who lived life to the full and in doing that, he himself was fulfilled.
He truly enjoyed people. Among his personal strengths, arguably his greatest, was his ability to sense other people’s true needs, and to help them. At his funeral many came forward with stories of the “behind the scenes” thoughtfulness they and their families had experienced from Louis.
He is survived by his wife Pat, three children, seven grandchildren, brother Bernard and many extended family members and close friends. Next year would have marked his 50th wedding anniversary. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
– DVP