TRIBUTES have poured in for comic star of stage and screen Paschal O’Grady, one half of the legendary Irish comic duo Tom and Pascal, who passed away this past Friday (June 13).
The 93-year-old, from Ballinacurra in Limerick City, died peacefully at Milford Care Centre surrounded by his beloved wife Marie, son Emmanuel, and daughter Eukaria.
Ireland’s answer to the 1960s British comic stars Morecambe and Wise, Tom and Paschal’s slapstick act made them a household name, selling out shows from Dublin’s Theatre Royal to London’s Royal Albert Hall, even taking them as far afield as Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Paschal’s partner in comedy, Tom O’Donnell, sadly passed away in February 2013.
The pair, who had a hit television sketch programme, may be best remebered for their hilarious portrayal of Kattie and Nonie, two Limerick female pensioners.
The impact of television catapulted the duo from stage to screen, copper-fastening their names in the annals of Irish comedy gold.
In an interview with ilovelimerick last year, Paschal said that television “did a lot” for the duo, “but I think we missed a lot of opportunities, we should have pushed it more”.
“We travelled on our success rather than our potential. I still maintain we were the Morecambe and Wise of Ireland, if we had pushed it.”
The Limerick duo performed their television debut on RTÉ, Tom and Paschal’s Christmas Crackers, on New Year’s Eve 1961, and were the first comedic act to perform on the station in Céad Míle Fáilte.
Last year, recalling their golden years together on stage and screen, Paschal offered advice to young people and others trying to make it big in show-business: “Don’t change, for Christ’s sake, don’t change. I mean, be human and just do what you feel like doing, so long as you’re not injuring anybody or hurting anybody. Everyone should be who they want to be.”
Paying tribute, Peter McNamara, Milford Entertainment Group, stated: “In more recent years, Paschal and other volunteers of the entertainment group at the Milford Care Centre put on weekly concerts for residents. Here he continued to raise many laughs from residents with his own comedy version of Que Sera, Sera and an old favourite, Sonny Boy, acting out the loved Katie and Nonie comedy routine from the Christmas Crackers shows of the 60s with a little help from his long-time friend and singing partner, Eugene O’Connor.”
“This continued right up to a couple of weeks ago when he was still entertaining the residents at Milford where he and his wife Marie, were dedicated volunteers for over 20 years.”
Pat O’Donovan, of the famous west Limerick traditional Irish music and storytelling venue, the Rambling House in Knockfierna, stated: “Tom and Pascal were the leading comedians through the 60s and never uttered an offensive word while generating laughter among thousands. May Pascal rest in peace.”
Mr O’Grady’s remains will repose at Milford Care Centre, Castletroy, from 5.30pm-7pm this Tuesday.
His funeral Mass will take place at St Michael’s Church of Ireland, Pery Square, at 11am on Wednesday, followed by burial in Mount St Lawrence Cemetery.
Paschal is survived by his beloved wife Marie, son Emmanuel, daughter Eukaria, sister Colette, daughter- and son-in-law Kathrine and Tim, grandchildren Anna, Erica, and Timothy, and a wide network of extended family and friends.
“Thanks for the laughter,” his obituary notice read.
