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Death occurs of much-loved Laois man in South Africa

The death has occurred of Portlaoise man Jim McCormack in South Africa.

Mr McCormack, who moved to South Africa with his wife Esther in 2017 to be close to his daughter Aisling, her husband Duane and their family, passed away on Sunday in South Africa.

Jim’s passing comes on the second anniversary of Aisling’s death who died suddenly in June 2019.

Aged in his early 70s, Jim is survived by his wife Esther, sons Diarmuid and Enda, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and family members and friends.

Jim, a former prison officer, and Esther, who worked in the Kolbe Centre for years, sold their house in Portlaoise in 2017 after they retired and moved their lives to South Africa.

They had been heavily involved in local life in Portlaoise in both sporting and community circles.

They bought a new home in the Pacific Ocean seaside resort of Fish Hoek, about 40 minutes from the centre of Cape Town.

They settled into community life there with Jim, a massive sports fan, following the fortunes of the local club rugby team.

And he kept in touch with home too, regularly listening to the commentary of his close friend Jack Nolan from the Laois matches on Midlands 103.

He was also an avid reader of local and national news from Ireland.

Jim and Esther were 50 years married in 2020.

Funeral details to follow.