Lives Lost to Covid-19: Peter Lalor – Lifelong Leeds fan who was devoted to his wife Marie

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Peter Lalor

1948-2021

Peter Lalor was a quiet man but one who could fill the room with the warmth of his personality, his son Darren recalls.

Lalor died at the age of 72 on February 5th in the Mater Hospital, just four days after being admitted with Covid-19.

His wife Marie was also gravely ill from Covid-19 at the same time and had been admitted to the same hospital on January 24th. Fortunately for her and for her family she has managed to pull through and is set to be discharged from hospital.

Peter Lalor was originally from Cappagh Road in Finglas. He worked for Dublin Bus and was familiar to commuters on the 22/22A and 40 bus routes.

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He married Marie on December 27th, 1971. The couple were due to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

They were devoted to each other. On February 4th Marie was able to visit Peter for the first time since she was admitted to hospital and for the last time on February 5th. He died a few hours after that. His last words to his nurse were: “I had a good life. It was great to see all my family again. I am at peace now.”

Marie had to watch his funeral from her hospital bed in the Mater Hospital. At the funeral service, Darren asked the sparse congregation to give his mother a wave and a round of applause.

Peter and Marie had three children, Darren, Eric and Gary, and eight grandchildren.

Lifelong passion

Peter Lalor had a lifelong passion for Leeds United soccer club, a passion he shared with his brother-in-law Liam McGrath. Many pieces of Leeds memorabilia were placed on his coffin.

He was always on hand to instal that washing machine, put up a clothesline or give a listening ear. He loved his crosswords and had embraced the internet with enthusiasm, using his Facebook account to keep in touch with friends and family.

Darren, who is a barrister, describes his father as a “man of few words”, but one who was intensely interested in other people, made friends easily and maintained his lifelong friendships.

He supported his children in all their endeavours and was devoted to his grandchildren.

“My dad was and continues to be an inspiration to me. He never painted a false exterior to cover up the cracks as he believed the lines of sacrifice always make themselves visible no matter what,” Darren says.

“I firmly believe that dad will come back from where we are going, not to change our direction, but to say, I’ll see you there when you arrive. God rest you dad, I miss you.”