Tributes have been paid to a popular Co Tyrone man who passed away following a sudden illness on Monday.
Noel Tracey from Kildress was a much-loved member of the local Wolfe Tones GAA club in the village, and had contributed as a player, coach and referee for the tight-knit club which the Tracey family has long been associated with.
Noel’s brother Dessie told MyTyrone he looked up to his brother in so many ways, and that the family were devastated by his loss.
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“Noel was our go-to man in the family, he had the answers that we could never find,” Dessie said.
“He loved the sport of his local GAA club Kildress Wolfe Tones and played his part on the pitch then went on to youth management of underage teams.
“He helped his two daughters become the best they can be and really was one of the best about. He never had a bad word to say to anyone took and took it all in his stride.
“He became our club referee and did as much as he could for the love of the game.
“It’s a tough life we live in but when mum departed us to heaven 10 months ago she stood at heaven's gates with open arms wanting him back.”
The local GAA club paid tribute to Noel with a statement, commenting that just a month ago he had played a vital part in securing the All Ireland Feile title for the club’s girls team.
“Our Club, Parish, Gaelic Tyrone, and far beyond are greatly diminished by the shocking death, after a sudden and unforgiving illness, of our dearly cherished Noel Tracey,” the statement said.
“A member of one of Kildress’ strongest and most committed Gaelic families, in his cruelly shortened life Noel did and achieved so much for our Club.
“He volunteered across the board for us as a player, mentor, coach, club referee and good-hearted club worker, always with style, class and total decency.
“Noel was a huge contributor to us in working with our underage levels in particular and was central to the Wolfe Tones’ crowning glory of winning the All-Ireland Girls’ Feile just a month ago tomorrow.”
“Our deepest sympathy goes to Fionnuala, Ella and Annie | Des, Dessie, Paul, Mark, Kevin and Natasha | and to everyone blessed to have known Noel as a friend and colleague.”
Tyrone GAA also posted a tribute on social media expressing their shock at his passing. A spokesperson said: " Tyrone GAA is deeply shocked to learn of the death, after a sudden and unforgiving illness, of dearly cherished Kildress Gael Noel Tracey.
"A member of one of Kildress’ strongest and most committed Gaelic families, in his cruelly shortened life Noel did and achieved so much for his Club, and for Tyrone. He volunteered across the board for us as a player, mentor, coach, Club Referee and good-hearted Club worker, always with style, class and total decency. As a Referee, he made his valued contribution to us all at Tyrone level.
"Noel was a huge contributor to Kildress in working with the Club’s underage groups in particular and was actively central to the Wolfe Tones’ crowning glory of winning the All-Ireland Girls’ Feile, just a month ago, on 2 July.
"Tyrone’s deepest sympathy goes to Fionnuala, Ella and Annie | Des, Dessie, Paul, Mark, Kevin and Natasha | to the Gaels of Kildress | and to everyone blessed to have known Noel as a friend and colleague.
"We were the richer for his presence and are the poorer for his passing."
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