RIP: The legacy is told of Carlow Town man who lived to 100-years-old

An incredible story has been told on RIP.ie on the life of Carlow Town man following his recent death

Carlow has lost a legend recently, a man who lived to see 100-years-old and lived a life full of adventure.

An incredible story has been told on RIP.ie on the life of Patrick Lazarian Kinsella following his recent death.

Patrick lived in California up until his death on April 17, 2026 but he was originally from Ballytimmon, Fenagh, County Carlow, Ireland.

Patrick ‘lived hundreds of lives before slipping away peacefully’ including living to see extraordinary change across his nearly 101 years - world wars, the discovery of penicillin, invention of the television, and arrival of a tractor and electricity to the family farm.

Unlike most RIP posts, Patrick’s shares his life story to honour his memory and legacy.

His RIP says: “born the eighth of ten children to Austin Kinsella and Annie (McDonald), Padraig (known as “the Young Lad”) spent early mornings before school tending the milking and planting potatoes alongside his namesake, Uncle Pa. Those formative years instilled in him a quiet resilience, steady work ethic, and deep appreciation for life’s simplest gifts”.

It goes on to say: “an opportunity for travel and adventure came in the form of a one-way ticket to Chicago from his beloved Aunt Elizabeth when Pat was in his late 20’s. There, he found community, friendship and a traveling Gaelic football team (St. Pat’s Club) eager to take him on as their kicker.

“He later made his way to San Francisco on Route 66, where he met Mary Phyllis McDermott who coincidentally grew up a mere ten miles from him in Carlow town. They married, started a family, and settled in Burlingame in 1965”.

Patrick was a track and field athlete in his younger years, he was one of the original members of the Fenagh Football Club alongside his brother Tom, and played Gaelic football in the States into his 40s.

“He was one of the San Francisco 1960 Gaelic Football All Stars and inducted into the GAA Hall of Fame in 2009. Pat remained active throughout his life, passing his love of sports and the outdoors onto his offspring and inspiring the next generation.

“He was a devoted father, grandfather and uncle, and an honorary “dad” to many, well known for his warmth, kindness, humor, curiosity and sage advice: “Don’t worry—it won’t change anything,” the RIP said.

Patrick’s RIP post continues: “a realtor, investor and stalwart community volunteer, Pat worked well into his later years and continued to drive until age 96. He was fiercely independent with a zest for life. He was humbled to be named 2019 Citizen of the Year in recognition of his outstanding service to the community of Burlingame”.

On Patrick’s 100th birthday, he was honoured to receive a letter from Ireland’s President Michael Higgins congratulating him on becoming a centenarian. That day, he also received the Centenarian’s Medal from the Carlow County Council and was treated to a celebration at the office of the General Consulate of Ireland In San Francisco.

“A meat-and-potatoes man at heart, Pat took joy in life’s small pleasures - apple pie, glazed donuts, a hot cup of tea, his weekly game of “25” with his brothers-in-law Frank McDermott (Carlow) and John Fallon (Maganey), and time spent in his garden and nature. An Irish tenor, singing was his great passion. Whether at weddings, family gatherings, or around the house, he sang at every occasion, right up to the very end.

“In March, he hosted his 38th annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration at the Burlingame Lions Club, delighting guests with a spirited rendition of “Galway Bay,” sung entirely from memory,” the RIP post said.

In the U.S., Pat is survived by his wife Phyllis (McDermott), his sister Ellie Barker (Wisconsin), his five children and nine grandchildren, sisters and brothers-in-law, and too many nieces, nephews and friends to count! He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families in Ireland, England and Australia, most of whom made the trips to Old Leighlin and Fenagh to celebrate his 80th, 90th and 99th birthdays with him, according to the RIP.

That final celebration in 2024, magnificently organized by his nieces and nephews, included mass at St. Patrick’s Church, Newtown, Bagenalstown, the place of his baptism, on the morning of his 99th birthday, dinner at the family farm Ballytimmon, and a session later that day in Fenagh Village. It was his last trip home to the ol’ sod and he never stopped talking about it.

He was preceded in death by his parents Austin and Annie Kinsella; his brothers Augustin, James, John and Tom; his sisters Eilish, Sheila, Mary Paul, and Nancy; several dear nephews and a niece; and never to be forgotten, his dear friend, Jack Foley.