Tributes paid after sad passing of Athlone book restorer Declan Browne

Affectionate tributes are being paid to Athlone man Declan Browne after his death, following a short illness, yesterday (Wednesday).

A book binder and restorer by trade, Declan operated the Liturgical Book Restorers business on Main Street, and was shown working there in a short film that has been played during the Angelus on RTÉ television over the last eight years.

RTÉ said the Angelus clip in which Declan features would again be aired, in his memory, at 6pm this evening (Thursday).

The Roscommon Road, Athlone, resident, late of Rathfarnham in Dublin, was predeceased by his beloved wife, Enda, and is sadly missed by his loving sons David and Daragh, and daughters Olga and Emer.

His passing is mourned by his brother Dermot and sister Vera, sons-in-law Daragh and Jim, grandchildren James, Andrew, Chelsea, Katie, Kevin, Austin, Mark and Dominic, his longstanding friend of twenty years Olga Corrigan, nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, many friends and members of Athlone Town Football Club.

In a Twitter post, Roger Childs, RTÉ's Commissioning Editor of Religious Content, extended his condolences to Declan's family and said television audiences had "the privilege of watching Athlone antiquarian bookbinder Declan Browne at work during the reflective Angelus slot."

Athlone poet Jackie Gorman also shared one of her poems as part of a tribute to Declan.

Jackie described him as a master craftsman, a dedicated Athlone Town fan and "an absolute gentleman".

Declan will be reposing at Flynn's Funeral Home, The Strand, tomorrow (Friday) from 6pm until 8pm. His requiem Mass will take place on Saturday in S.S. Peter & Paul's Church at 11am, followed by burial afterwards in Coosan Cemetery.

For those who wish to live-stream Declan's Funeral Mass, please click on the following link on Saturday at 11am: https://www.churchservices.tv/athlone