In Celebration of
Martin Tierney
May 11, 1929 -
April 15, 2020
On Wednesday April 15th, 2020 Martin Tierney, loving husband to Bridget (Deely), and father to four children, passed away due to Covid-19 at Kipling Acres in Toronto, Canada just shy of his 91st birthday.
Martin was born on May 11th, 1929 in Callan, County Kilkenny, Ireland to Thomas and Anastasia (Lannon). Martin was already a world class traveller at 19 years old when he worked in the Middle East from 1948 to 1952, visiting Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria, building the oil refinery and pipeline network for Anglo American. Martin emigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1954 and met Bridie at a St. Paul’s church dance, they celebrated their marriage on April 14th, 1956. Martin joined the new Molson Breweries Fleet street brewery in 1955 and retired in 1990 after 35 years of service. Martin developed many lifelong friends at Molson’s and told his family many funny and memorable stories while working at the Fleet Street facility.
Martin enjoyed playing cards games, especially 25’s! He was a great accordion player and loved listening to the Irish & Scottish pipes and drums. He took a strong interest in reading about world affairs and discussing them. Many happy times were had at the schoolhouse cottage in the summer. Martin loved going to livestock and estate auctions while at the cottage and ice cream trips to Fenelon Falls. Dad was so proud to bring his family home to Ireland in 1977, we all cried when we left! The drive to Florida to see The Kennedy Space Centre was also a highlight for him in 2004.
Although Martin developed rheumatoid arthritis in his forties, he courageously battled through this disease while working full-time and raising a family. Martin never gave up even when he was in severe pain. His family and friends admired his faith, determination and work ethic.
Martin was preceded in death by his Father, Thomas and Mother Anastasia and Siblings John, Michael, Thomas, Mary Kenny, James and Nicholas. He is survived by his wife Bridie, his four children, Maureen (Peter), Raymond (Anita), James (Natalie), Desmond (Cathy) his sisters Peggy Kearney (James), Anna Payne (Kettering, Ohio), Eileen Hughes (Edwin), sister-in-law Mary (Chicago, Illinois), his thirteen grandchildren - Jackie, Monica, Lorraine, Matthew, Brianna, Nicholas, Kevin, Bernadette, Isabelle, Sophia, John, Thomas, Stephen and many other nieces and nephews.
Unfortunately Martin’s Mother inherited Huntington’s Chorea disease (HD). Our family has lost Anastasia, James, Thomas and Thomas’s children Teresa, John and Jean to this debilitating disease. Our family’s wish is to support the Huntington Society of Canada. A Gofundme account has been set up, see link below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/huntington-society-of-canada-for-tierney-family?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet or go to the Donations tab of the Memorial to access the link directly, Or use the donation tab on the Memorial Page to make a donation directly on the website.
A Funeral Mass will be held at a future date at St. Clements Roman Catholic Church in Etobicoke, burial to follow at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.
