Bernie Scanlon Obituary, Death – There is no question in anyone’s mind that Bernie Scanlon provided the club with exceptional service during his whole life. Additionally, he is the only holder of the distinction of being the club member who has been continuously active for the greatest amount of time. In the course of his involvement with that organization, he was a founding member, a player, a mentor, a delegate, an executive member, a club ambassador, a worker, and a fundraiser. He made a significant contribution in each of these roles. He was all too aware of the additional challenges posed for clubs in rural Ireland with smaller populations, which is why he was willing to do so right up until the very end, actually as recently as January 7th.
His ability to raise money knew no bounds, and he was willing to do so right up until the very end. Bernie was a proud Kiltane man who had a strong understanding of Gaelic games. He gained a great deal of joy from watching the club advance in various events over the course of the years, and he was able to see this success firsthand. He showed a deep interest in all of the players and gave them the very best and most pertinent advise at all times. Naturally, the fact that his sons Brian, John, and Martin were selected to play for the blue and gold sparked an additional interest. He was also known for his ardent love of Mayo, as seen by his attendance at games all around the world, including frequent trips to Croke Park; more than ten years ago, he even made the trip to New York for a Mayo senior championship game.
He was a guy who had a wide group of Gaelic Games friends, many of whom he met on his visits to games in Kiltane, as well as when officiating on behalf of the county in McHale Park and many other sites around Mayo. He was a man who was highly-respected in the Gaelic Games community. His accomplishments will live on in the annals of the club’s history for all time. His wife Ann, their daughters Caroline, Tisha, and Paula, as well as his sons Tommy, Bryan, John, and Martin, together with their extended families and friends, have the club’s most sincere condolences. We pray that his kind and gentle soul finds eternal rest.