Society members were saddened over the weekend to hear of the passing of Life Member and past President of the Society, Christy Glynn. Christy was well-known in Castlerea and beyond for his involvement with the Musical Society, Castlerea Golf Club, Castlerea Rose Festival and as an avid supporter of the Rossies!

Christy first took to the stage with the Musical Society in its second year, when it staged a pantomime, Robin Hood and his Merry Women, in 1969. Indeed, Christy often recalled his initial recruitment into the Society, when he and a friend were spotted peering in the window, out of curiosity, during choral rehearsals. The Musical Director of the day, the late, great Martha Rhatigan, ensured that the lads' free time could be better spent, and so they were roped in as "Merry men"! Christy never looked back.

From 1969 through to 2017, Christy would appear in 37 productions with the Society, where he was loved by audiences as a funnyman and character actor. Over the years, Christy played many parts, including Luther Billis in South Pacific, Major Gen. Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance, Elisha Whitney in Anything Goes and, of course, The Pope in Sister Act. Christy holds the distinction of being the only member to have played the same part twice, twice! He played Will Parker in Oklahoma! in both 1972 and 1981, and he played Henry Miller in Calamity Jane in both 1974 and 2003. But of course, the part that Christy was most proud of, and the one that he loved to remind us all of, was that of The King in The King & I! How many times did he gleefully remind us that "One's head should never be higher than the King's"??!!

Christy's final appearance on-stage with the Society was in our production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in 2017.

Off the stage, aside from helping out our Front of House teams when his health allowed, Christy was also a dedicated committee member for much of his time with the Society, serving on committee for over 20 years. In that time, he took on roles such as PRO, Secretary and Assistant Chairperson. In 2018, Christy was elected President of the Society, a position he would fill for 4 years. Christy was then made an Honorary Life Member of the Society.

Needless to say, Christy will be well-remembered by members of Castlerea Musical Society.

We extend our sympathies to Christy's family and his wide circle of friends. May he rest in peace.