‘A great man’ - Tributes paid to late Thurles businessman Frank McKevitt

Tributes have been paid across Thurles this week for well-known businessman Frank McKevitt, who passed away earlier this month, in his 91st year.

Mr McKevitt was well-known around the town of Thurles, owning and running Johnson's Costcutter on Liberty Square.

The popular Thurles businessman was remembered as a man who had a great interest in horses, and who could often be found in his store, having a cup of coffee and watching the world go by.

Local independent councillor Jim Ryan said that Mr McKevitt contributed much to the local economy.

“I want to pass on my condolances to the McKevitt family, Frank McKevitt was an extremely well-known business person and personality in the town for over 40 or 50 years in Thurles.

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“He contributed greatly to the local economy and employment through Johnson's Costcutter in Liberty Square, a really well-known and famous supermarket that employed so many local people down through the years,” Cllr Ryan said.

The Thurles councillor added that Mr McKevitt was “also well-known for his love of the horse racing, and down through the years he would have sponsored a lot of clubs and events and always looked after his community, his employees, and looked after his customers as well,” Cllr Ryan said.

“May he rest in peace, he will be sadly missed,” Cllr Ryan added.

Paying tribute, independent councillor Eddie Moran said that Mr McKevitt was a “great businessman” in the town.

“We were great friends for years, myself and Frank, and his good wife who passed away a good few years ago as well.

“Frank was in business for a long time in Thurles and was a great man, a great businessman and he had a lot of people emplpoyed in the town of Thurles for years,” Cllr Moran said.

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“I used to call in and see him in the shop, he used to be sitting inside in the shop having a cup of coffee in the mornings and reading the paper, I used to go in and meet him for a chat and he'd often give me a winner,” Cllr Moran remembered.

Formerly of Killahara House, Dovea, Thurles, Tipperary, E41 P738, Frank passed away peacefully, in his 91st year, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr McKevitt was predeceased by his wife Marion (née Killackey), sisters Mary and Pauline.

He is deeply regretted by his sons Paul and Dave, daughters Orla and Maeve, Paul's wife Mary Bowe, Dave's partner Triona, grandchildren Aaron, Matthew, Rachel and Rory and their mother Finola, Jane-Anne, Sarah and Frank, Peter, David and Conor, brother Paddy, sister Kathleen, nephews, nieces, brother-in-law Matt, sisters-in-law Carol, Philomena, Margaret and Rita, god-daughter Nuala, relatives, neighbours and many good friends.