Tipperary businessman who set up his menswear shop was an absolute gentleman

Sean Tobin was born on January 20 1933 on the family farm in Killeenasteena, New Inn, near Cashel where the family had lived for generations.

He was the second son of Chris and Bride Tobin and brother of Liam, Christy, Tony and sister Stella, who predeceased Sean.
His was a republican family, his father Chris had been a Captain in the Old IRA and he was very active in the War of Independence in Tipperary as was his extended family.

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The family later moved to a farm in Coolmoyne, Fethard and then to Cliftonville Road, Glasnevin as all the family had by then moved to Dublin.
To try and put a historical perspective on the world Sean was born into - 4 days after Sean was born De Valera and Fianna Fail won the Irish General Election - 10 days after, the Nazi’s came to power in Germany, the Great Depression was in full swing and Franklin D. Roosevelt became the US president.

Sean, our Dad was always very modest about his achievements but in later years we learned he was the first student to get a scholarship to Rockwell College from his local Templenoe National School. Dad was very lucky in love and met and married our mother Annette and had 2 children, Sean and Louise. They were happily married for 57 years until our Annette passed away in October 2019 after a long illness.

Sean spent all his working life in the clothing and textile trade starting off in the Blackrock menswear in Clonmel and later onto Sligo and Dublin with Kingstons menswear. While in Clonmel he had a very successful greyhound called Star Approach who won a big race in Waterford and it was said they all had a great night. He then joined a UK textile company Stroud Riley in Dublin which was very successful for him until they left the Irish market in 1974.

Sean then decided to move back to Tipperary and open his own menswear business Sean Tobin, Mens and Boys Fashions, in Oakville Shopping Centre, Clonmel which he ran for over 25 years with my Mum until he retired due to health issues in 1999.
He set up his own menswear shop from nothing and created a very successful business where his sociable, warm and cheerful personality was his trademark alongside a relentless work ethic.

I think it is fair to say he loved the clothing trade and so many of his customers and colleagues in the trade became his friends because he was such a likeable character.

Sean Tobin’s shop was a semi confessional type of operation where people came to buy their clothes but also found Sean to be a someone they could make a real connection with and whom they could confide in and often sought his advice.
There are many lovely tributes to Sean on the condolence page on rip.ie but one in particular is worthy of a mention. It is anonymous, from a man who describes himself as ‘a clonmellion’ and it goes – Condolences to Sean’s family, loved ones and friends. This mans memory takes me back, as a small child for communion and confirmation outfits. He ran a classy enterprise, measuring tape around his neck, a great businessman, old school, a lovely way about him with people’ – no further comment necessary.

Sean loved hurling and in particular the ‘Blue and Gold’ of his native Tipperary. He told the story of how himself and his friend as young fellas attended Croke Park to see Tipp win the All-Ireland in the 1950’s only to miss the bus home amidst the celebrations. They then had to walk most of the way home to Clonmel which took them a very long time.
Sean went on a trip to Toronto with the Tipp All Ireland Champions ‘Babs Babes’ in 1990 which he thoroughly enjoyed. He also enjoyed his golf as a member of the Clonmel Golf Club. He was a great supporter of Munster and Irish Rugby and loved horse racing as well.

Sean loved life and was well able to enjoy himself when the occasion arose. He was great company to be with and his dry wit good humour and roguish smile were never far away.

Sean reached 92 years of age on January 20 last and dealt with his old age with great resilience, determination, fortitude and dignity.

He took great care of his appearance and was always well dressed. He was a deeply religious man in his own quiet way.
Sean was a loving husband to his wife Annette, an amazing father to Louise and Sean, was very fond of his daughter in law Suzanne, Louise’s partner James, a proud grandfather of Laura, Christopher, Richard, Sean & Robert and a doting great grandfather to Harry, Charlie and Thomas.

Our hearts are heavy but we are also very grateful to have had him with us for so long. Sean’s life was a life well lived.
For those of us fortunate enough to have known our Dad Sean Tobin, it was always a pleasure to be in his company.
When one stops and thinks about the words he used most often, they were thank you, and he sometimes would repeatedly say it-thank you, thank you, thank you. And perhaps the words used to describe Sean in his former and indeed latter years was an absolute gentleman.

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For those who cared for our Dad Sean on an ongoing basis, we say a heartfelt thank you. Thanks to his neighbours John, Michael and Jim and to his carers Marian, Margaret and Alice and also Catherine and Grace.
How lucky was Sean to have such an amazing loyal circle of carers and neighbours who all strived to keep Dad at home to the great age of almost 92,

And so, we would like to finish using Sean’s favourite words to say to all of our family and friends and neighbours, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
Louise and Sean Tobin.