Tributes paid to Golden Island man after his death at the age of 104

Neighbours and friends have paid warm tributes this week to Golden Island resident James Macken, who died last Sunday in his 105th year.

"You could travel the world and you wouldn't meet a nicer gentleman," said Tom Cleary, one of his neighbours in the Golden Island area, on Monday.

"I am living in this area since 1975, and I've known him that length of time. He was a quiet man, a very friendly man, and a lovely man to meet for a chat."

Mr Macken died peacefully at his home, and is survived by his nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends.

He had lived on his own, having previously lived with a brother who died some years ago, and had been involved in farming in the area.

Mr Macken continued to drive his tractor up until relatively recently. "He would tip up and down to town on his tractor - that was his means of transport," said Mr Cleary.

"If anybody had a death or a tragedy in the area, I believe he would have been one of the first ones to call."

His remarkable longevity and independence in continuing to live at home in his 105th year was commented upon this week. "We wanted him to go on forever, and he nearly did," were the words of one local family's online tribute.

"It's an incredible age to reach, and the man was in such good health. He was a pure gentleman, and he will be missed," said Mr Cleary.

Mr Macken's funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Pierre Pepper in St Mary's Church at 11am on Tuesday. Neighbours had arranged to line out on the roads near his Golden Island home, in a fond farewell, as the hearse drove by before the Mass.

May he rest in peace.