Leo was the youngest of three children to Jimmy and Annie McEvoy. Born in Ballydougan on 11^th March 1937, Leo attended Ballydougan Primary School?

After leaving school, Leo worked at Maguire’s quarry and then on Paddy McEvoy’s farm from 1956 until 1964 where he was regarded as another member of the family. He did a great impression of Frank Ifield with his yodelling which I’m sure impressed the cows!

Leo met Anne at a ceili in the Bosco and they married here in this church on 20^th April 1963. Their first home was in the house at the Clare church before they moved to Miller Park and finally to School Terrace. They had three children, Maria, Adrian, and Kieran and to say that Anne was totally devoted to Leo through their 58 years of marriage is an understatement!

After the farming, he then went on to work with his brother-in-law, Billy Byrne in Frazer’s in Belfast and finally with Paddy Rogan’s body workshop in Banbridge where he remained until his retirement. Leo was always interested in cars and he certainly loved his speed! Multi-talented, Leo could turn his hand to anything.

Sport was another passion of Leo’s, in particular Gaelic Football, greyhound racing, (owing his own greyhounds at one time) horse racing and, of course, bowls. He loved a flutter on the horses and the greyhounds.

He had the privilege and honour of captaining Tullylish when they won the Junior Championship and League in 1968 and continued his commitment to the club through all the years.

In later life, after his retirement, he joined the bowls fraternity and, like the Gaelic football, took to it like a duck took to water. He was a member of St. Colman’s Bowling Club, enjoying both the game and the camaraderie. Leo was a great competitor and, like anyone who enjoys success in sport, he was a team player, on and off the field and mat.

While Leo was proud of his sporting achievements, nothing made him prouder than his family. He was always on hand with advice for Maria, Adrian and Kieran and all the grandchildren. He enjoyed nothing more than taking a spin to Aghagallon to see what was happening. Leo adored his grandchildren and they, in turn, adored him.

Although Leo was a quiet and a shy man, he was a loyal and faithful friend with a great sense of humour. Always quick with an answer, it was hard to get one over on Leo and he loved nothing better than recalling the ‘old days’. He didn’t suffer fools gladly but was always ready to do a good turn. The sudden death of his brother Alo in 1984 was a dreadful shock to Leo and he was a great support for Alo’s wife Kathleen and her family. He was also devoted to his sister Rosemary, especially after the death of Rosemary’s husband Billy Byrne in 1998.

Leo’s faith was important to him and he loved attending the Saturday evening vigil Mass here in Laurencetown. Since lockdown, he used to get quite impatient when the broadband froze on the iPad during the weekend Mass.

Over the past number of years, Leo didn’t have the best of health, but he still loved going for walks, especially on the new walking track at the G.A.C. complex.

Unfortunately, like so many others at present, the COVID virus took hold two weeks ago and Leo passed away peacefully and quietly on Sunday evening.