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What seemed like the entire Newry arts sector joined family and friends of the late Charlie Smyth at his Funeral Mass at a packed St Catherine's Dominican on Friday 7 November, for the final curtain call on a man who single handedly did so much for the arts in Newry over the 92 years of his long and full life. While mourning a great loss there was so so much to be thankful for.
While best known for his involvement in producing and performing in hundreds of musicals, dramas, pantomimes and comedies Charlie also spent quite a few years as a Newry Councillor which as he pointed out to us in 2024 could be a 'pantomime' in itself.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in the packed church by Canon John Kearney with assistance from the Dominican Prior, Fr Desmond as well as Fr Deeney, Fr McAuley and Fr Boyle.
Family members brought up items connected to Charlie. There was a family photograph, sheet music, swimming trunks, pantomime programme and script. Producing a chuckle Canon Kearney quipped "We had to bring a pantomime programme and a script. Mind you he didn't always stick to his script, but he could carry it off - no better man."
In his homily Canon Kearney said "It's fitting that we celebrate his funeral mass here in St Catherines, where he sang in the choir and was senior altar boy, he was destined for greatness. But Charlie was above all, a people person. He loved to meet people, to talk to them about anything that interested them. He was always at ease with people, and they were always at ease with him. Charlie was the kind of man who was welcomed into any group, because he always added to the occasion."
Born in Newry in March 1933 he was a Ballybot boy through and through but moved to Glenn in 1958 when he married his wife Kathleen. Speaking about the massive contribution he made to his adopted parish Canon Kearney said "In the parish many years ago, the Lourdes committee was in its early stages. Fundraising was needed. There were concerts, there were plays put on in Dromantine and from those early beginnings, it has gone from strength to strength. He was part of an organisation with a man called Frank Rice who brought children to Lourdes at Easter" giving many young people, despite their disabilities lasting memories of great times.
He added "Dromantine had decided on a major renovation, funds were needed. Charlie put his shoulder to the wheel, organised and took part in many successful events, but he had the amazing ability of getting other people to be involved. I honestly do not know where he found time to give so much to so many. His skills as a pianist, took him to Barr church, where he was an organist for years, and that was only the tip of the iceberg."
Canon Kearney spoke of his involvement in many Newry drama and musical groups including the annual pantomime in January, Newry Musical Society, Newpoint Players, Newry Drama Festival, Bosco Drama Group. "All of this happened in the 70's where life was not easy here and Charlie and other members of the society showed us a new way of living." he said.
Canon Kearney said Charlie was first and foremost a family man but added "Charlies loss to the community is immeasurable and the same can be said of his loss to the entire Newry Theatrical family."
Beautiful music and singing was the order of the day and Charlie would most certainly have approved of the extended applause and standing ovation given to his great granddaughter who sang the beautiful and most appropriate song Somewhere Over The Rainbow, at the end of the Funeral Mass. Following the service he was laid to rest in St Mary's Cemetery Barr.
