Raymond Callaghan

To Alison &Family im so sorry for your precious Loss. Everyone Loved &Cherished"Boots!". A very kind man your Dad, was a very Loving Husband &Father ! A Unique Character &A Legend. You are a Beautiful Family, Alison your a wonderful kind caring Mum; your kids loving & adorable ! Your Love ,Devotion &words are truly special.Endless memories &stories to cherish with yiur Dad.Everyone knew "Boots,!" How did i know Boots? Well, My Beautiful Mum: Nancy Finnegan, worked alongside Ann," Boots's," Mum (your Nana) in the Primary school Canteen as Dinner Ladies &Cooks. My Mum was very fond of Ann, Ann likewise and said Ann always spoke highly of her Family espec.her Kids. These Ladies were a very special bunch. You could say they were like that Programme," Loose Women! "They would sit with their dinner, having a good ole yarn talking about Everything, Anything !! their kids antics, troubles,even Husbands, however what was said there stayed there! Very Loyal! Many tales &Craic to be told! But I do know one name did come up often/ popular for antics yep, "Boots!" Ann would roll her eyes up to the Heavens when Boot's name came up :"Oh dont start !" said Ann !! I wish i knew more !! My Mum would come Home Happy, laughing !! The Nuns were strict with Dinners but my Mum &Ann would secretly put extra on plates & for kids crying took dinners away shhhh!. My Mum, Ann, these Amazing Ladies loved their Job! Poor ,"Boots!" You have a Special Angel watching over you now God Bless You. Xx

Boots always had the driest sense of humour and quick wit. The apple hasn't fallen far from the tree when I look at your kids, not mentioning any names Maggie. Really only got to see that side of him through lockdown when you did the quizzes. Alison, he and you were like a double act, hilariously funny. A blind man on a galloping horse could see exactly what he thought of you Alison and your beautiful family. You all have so many happy memories and were still creating them till the end. Rosie, Maggie, Maeve, Leo, Laura and Connie you were all the apple of your Daddy's eye and will continue to be because im sure he'll never be too far away. Out of sight but never out if mind. Rest easy Boots

Where do I start.. The most sarcastic person I ever met. I had to look him in the eyes more times to see if he was being real or funny. He was so witty, I’ve never met ANYONE that could throw a one liner out as quick as him.
I also knew the soft, kind caring and loving person Boots was. He had some memory, forgot nothing ( mind you Alison would probably disagree haha) our Siobhan and Joanne have the real stories about boots, I only knew him more in his more settled years Mind you I don’t think theirs can by published, if boots didn’t tell the stories they aren’t meant to be told lol
He was a good role model for his kids, hard working, caring, loving and very wise. But I’ll just leave with one, granny cooke was on her last days, she knew boots and thought very highly off him.. he always got Raymond, full title, he used to buy her ice cream (poke to us that only ever knew it that way) he landed to the house, he had a few beers in him, he had a massive big fruit basket, he said “ grainy, this is for you, there was a tear in his eye, she just replied, thanks Raymond but I’d rather have a poke. lol you see that’s how kind and caring he was.

To Alison an all the family
Rest in peace Boots!
Such a wonderful family devoted to each other offering great support to the clubs in Keady an indeed the wider community. Boots will be a big miss but lives in everyone of you and you all should be so proud. Continue to look out for each other xx C,S,T&E

Alison and family we were so sorry to hear of Boots passing . I know we only got to know you all the short time we visited all those years ago . But in those times we got to see how much Boots was loved by all . Rest in peace Raymond

Such a lovely man with the nicest family. I remember him doing Santa in the parochial hall years ago & he had all the kids laughing our ones loved it.

From the very first day maevo introduced me to her daddy, it was just craic and fun, from taking the hand out of me and me giving it right back to Boots. From the many text messages back and forth about making sure im looking after maeve and staying out of the hatfield(when we were supposed to be in the library) or the days he would be worried sick because Maevo had some how landed herself antrim without letting anyone know, i dont know how he ever thought I was a good influence on her😂but still somehow made me very welcome when i came down to visit. Every member of the callaghan family have treated me like their own and especially being the adopted daughter i fitted right in. Boots loved talking about camogie and asking about my gaelic football, even came to support me beating the team he didnt like see win (granemore) and that day i never seen a smile on his face like it!! Boots really was one in a million!!! He would be so proud of how strong you all have been❤️thinking of you all xx

I can just remember how much Maeve adored her daddy. The millions of stories we were told about the many of matches they went to watch. He really was her number one fan.
Thinking of yous all & sending my love❤️

To Alison Rosie Maggie Meabh Leo Laura and Connie.
Your Father (and Mother) was the nicest most friendly people EVER when I started my life in Keady as a complete stranger knowing absolutely nobody. But i got to no the real Boots and Al when i first set foot into Keady GAA omg i was standing like a lemon and all i heard was you wee Derry Mc Grane come on over here and him and Al weren't long telling me who was who and what was what. You will learn in this life theres not too many people who will go completed out of there way for you. But Boots and Al most certainly did. Boots u have left behind the most perfect legacy in 6 perfect children who made u so proud and will continue to do so. And Al ur loving wife will know just how much u loved and adored her. RIP Boots x

Knowing Boots through his friends is proof of a funny, loyal man. Knowing Boots through his family is proof of a great father, dedicated, kind and respected so much by Alison, his son and daughters. Boots added value to all his relationships evident in the respect paid to remember and prove to his kids that he will watch and guide their futures. He will always be a whisper away leaving his mark in kind in all of his family. Always lean on each other for you all share the same grief but most importantly, the same stories of the young Boots, a reliable, fun friend, a mate with a heart of gold, a comedian well know for his banter but more importantly a husband and father who settled in to family life as a hero, a soulmate, a dad to passed values on to his children that made them reach for the stars because one day that star will watch, admire, guide and listen to them still. In the quiet of a private moment you will feel a little hug or hear a funny tale and know that lonely is never really alone. ‘Malachy’ has certainly left his mark in kind and each of you own a unique part, be strong, be proud and be there for each other and hold your mum up because Boots & Al Cal are one and the same. Al be proud and know you prove to be a remarkable wife and dedicated mother 💕. Family always comes first 🫶🏻

If you had to score brother in laws, Boots would get top marks! at the beginning of knowing him, I was sometimes confused, as to whether or not he was being serious, sarcastic, or funny, but didn't take long to get to know his funny side, as I don't think there was a time we where altogether and there wasn't some of his dry wit came out,
Nothing was ever too much trouble for Boots, even if it meant coming to Galway to build a house!
I remember when Willie first met Boots, his words where he's an A1 fella, and had plenty in common with building sites,
Boots was funny, witty, sarcastic in a nice way, and always has been, and will always continue to be a very proud man, as he watches over his beloved wife and their 6 incredible children,
And with his wit being passed on through his children, he will never be far away.
Rest easy Boots,
Gone but will never be forgotten
Xxx

I couldn’t have asked for a better brother in law. Over the 30 years of knowing Boots, he was always kind hearted and would do anything for anyone - along side the compulsory wind ups too. There are many stories that I could tell, definitely more than T-W-O! Sleep well Boots.

Rest in peace to the greatest Boots, my goodness he gave my mother absolute stink whenever he seen her but alas he was always there when she asked him to do umpire, he kept her right, sane and as well as on her toes. He had no idea the impact he had on our family, he made us laugh, joke and unfortunately recently, cry. He was really and truly one of a kind and was the best father to yous all, especially to that (adopted) sister of mine Maeve. Every match, tournament and every Feile, he followed and supported. You left such an impact on everyone in such a positive and humorous way, it’s now our turn to do the same.

I met Boots at the tender age of 17, when I started working in warners , and would hang out with him & my big cuz Peter. I Attended my first ever house party in Ann’s house while they were away bootshad a party.. 😜

Well one sessions involved me & boots going up to ardee with Pete who was leaving up his wedding cake to the hotel and meeting with priests etc.

Mary had Scottish family home & we were to entertain them in the pub until they got back an hour or 2 at the most.

Well the drink started and so did the yarns & jokes .. needless to say the Scottish relatives were loving craic, and me & boots were wrote off.. we sang our way down to blayney where the two boys dropped me at my front door in the crescent , rang the front door bell & fecking ran!!

Both of them jumped into the car and away down the road to Keady .. we both had some heads on us the next day at the wedding.. he could drink a cute, I just turned green at the taught of a hair of the dog..

I’ve great memories of the rascal he was.. being privileged to attended many a family functions throughout the years, being trusted to take photos.. & when we were well we would call to each others houses , have the craic & moan for hours about anything & everything .. his sense of humour and craic was second to none .. rip old friend ..

My thoughts and prayers are with ye all , sending my love ❤️

Sincere condolences to Alison and family on the passing of Raymond. One of life’s true gentlemen, who we had the pleasure of knowing. May god rest him and bring comfort to his dear family. You will always be remembered in our prayers.
John, Mary and family Barnaderg.

I used to go to school with your mum we have been friends for a long time. I never met your dad but i knew from messages and pics that he made your mum very happy and was so proud of all his children and loved you all so much xx

Rest in peace Boots you definitely were a one off kept us all in craic when we were going through a horrible time ourselves we will never forget the craic Tamm had with you when he was sick❤️

My favourite memory of Boots is when him and Alison called to our house the night before my wedding. Boots had previously asked me what wedding gift we needed and I said we don't need anything we've already got our house and all the stuff we need. He responded "I wasn't offering to buy you a house" lol. He showed up then with what can only be described as the ugliest toaster I had ever seen and handed it to me. I didn't know what to say and he burst out laughing and said "look inside" where he had hidden cash. I later found out he specifically asked Al to get the ugliest toaster that Argos had, and the first one she picked wasn't ugly enough according to Boots lol. Condolences to Alison, Rosie, Maggie, Maeve, Leo, Laura and Connie.

Knowing as Reilly to Boots.. Iv known Boots most of my life living nearby . Just one of those guys you enjoyed around you and Iv had great memories being a good friend. One little story I’ll give was of us both heading to Omagh ( long journey) from keady one evening. Many years ago now. Both gave up cigarettes this time and where going to look at a car.. on the way there Boots produced 10 cigarettes and said five for you five for me get them smoked before we get home.. on the way home I’d to pull in at side off road as Boots had to be sick from smoking .. it was a very funny experience and one I remembered well.. 😂

We couldn’t have wished for a better son-in-law.
Rest in Peace,Boots.xx

In the thoughts and prayers of all at Clea P.S.

Our deepest condolences to Aidan, Christine, Tom, his wife & children on the sad passing of your beloved Raymond. Our prayers & thoughts are with you all. May Raymond Rest in Peace.

Deepest sympathy to the Callaghan family on the sad passing of Raymond, you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May Raymond's Soul Rest in Peace

Thinking of you fondly
RIP
God Bless