RIP: Shock at passing of well-known and much-loved Tipperary restaurateur

The Clonmel community is mourning the passing of restaurateur Thomas (Tom) Coyne of Prior Park Green and La Scala Restaurant, Clonmel, county Tipperary.

Tom, formerly of Letterass, Leenane, county Galway/county Mayo, passed away at Tipperary University Hospital on Friday evening, January 2 after a short illness.

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He is pre-deceased by his parents Michael and Mary and his beloved siblings John, Bernie, Bridie, Mary, Rose, Peadar, Padraic and Kay.

Tom will be sadly missed by his much-loved wife Mary, his children Colm, Deirdre and Cathy, his brother Gerry (Navan), daughter-in-law Mèlissa, Cathy's partner Barry, his grandchildren Miles and Suzanne, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours in Prior Park and wide circle of friends.

Tom will be remembered by all who knew him from St Mary's, Galway, Rockwell Catering, Germany, Switzerland, The Glen Hotel & Marian Court.

Reposing at Condon's Funeral Parlour, Clonmel on Tuesday evening from 5pm to 7pm. Removal on Wednesday to Ss Peter & Paul’s Church.

Funeral Mass on arrival at 1pm.

Those who cannot attend can watch live via the Ss Peter & Paul’s Church livestream service https://www.churchservices.tv/clonmelpeterpaul.

Burial will take place afterwards in St Patrick’s Cemetery.

People have been posting tributes to Tom on rip.ie:

Heartfelt condolences Dee, Cathy and all the family on the sad passing of your dad. I have such fond memories of family lunches in La Scala, it was always special to go there. May your dad rest in peace. Thinking of you all at this very hard time.

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Condolences to the extended Coyne family on the passing of Tom.
Fond memories of our time in Clonmel back in the nineties reminiscing of our Mayo connections over lunch in La Scala.

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It was with profound sadness that we got the news of Tom’s unexpected passing. Our deepest sympathies to you Mary, Colm, Deirdre, Cathy and the extended Coyne family. Tom was a true gentleman, full of fun, witty and so very kind. He will be hugely missed by you all. May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace.

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My sincere sympathies to you Mary and family on the sad passing of Tom.
Still have nice memories of dining and the banter in La Scala of yonder years. May Tom Rest in peace.

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Sincere condolences to Tom’s family who will miss him dearly. Tom was a lovely man, great memories of La Scala. May he rest peacefully and may God grant you the strength to navigate this time.

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Sincere condolences to Mary, Deirdre, Cathy, Colm and the extended Coyne family on the sad passing of Tom. We first met Tom in 1982 when he was the chef at our wedding in the Glen Hotel and have remained friends ever since. What wonderful memories we have of Tom and Mary in La Scala, superb food, great atmosphere and laughs aplenty with jokes from Tom in the laneway. May he rest in eternal peace.

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Sincere condolences to Mary and family on the death of Tom. I got to know Tom when he was a member of the Clonmel Men's Shed. There would always be a great craic when Tom arrived as he’d be sure to have a few jokes to lighten up the atmosphere. I remember one night a member who had suffered a bereavement in the recent past saying before going home that Tom Coyne was better than a tonic. The man had a great laugh that night and much appreciated Tom’s humour. So, May Tom Rest in Eternal Peace. He will be remembered for all the laughs that he gave us.