Death of former Meath Chronicle advertising executive, Ricky Walsh

The Meath Chronicle is today mourning the loss of former advertising executive, Ricky Walsh, and extends sympathy to his family.

Ricky had been a member of staff at Market Square from 1995 until his retirement in 2016.

He died peacefully yesterday at Cavan General Hospital, following an illness.

A native of Ballivor, he lived at Stradone, Co Cavan, with his wife, Kay.

Ricky woke up one morning at the age of 28 to realise his sight had gone. He had already lost the sight of one eye after a childhood accident in Ballivor, but just after the birth of his eldest child, he lost the second.

Losing his sight so suddenly was life-changing, but with the right attitude and the support of a wife who wouldn’t let him “sit in the soft corner”, he went on to master computers, work in the newspaper and earn a college degree.

He encouraged other people with disabilities to follow their dreams of further education, after he graduated with a BA in humanities from Oscail, the national centre for distance learning at Dublin City University, in 2008.

He is survived by Kay (Kathleen), family, David, Donna, Amy and Laura; his mother, Bea; grandchildren, Maisie, Danny, Alannah, Páidí, Eve, Jack and Dakota; brothers, Kevin and Moses; sisters, Caroline, Mary, Ann and Mags, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and is also mourned by many friends.

Aprivate family funeral will take place at 12 noon Saturday, 23rd January, viewable on www.churchtv.ie at Lower Lavey.