Obituaries

Churchtown resident since 1992 and well known movie actor Oliver Reed passed away May 2nd 1999, aged 61. Oliver was a much loved member of our community in Churchtown and will be sorely missed. Indeed the unprecedented size of his funeral was a mark of the respect in which he was held. He is buried in the 13th Century cemetery in the heart of the village. His grave is seeded with Irish wild flowers and a pint of beer is often left there by his friends in O'Brien's Bar.

As well known for his antics off screen as he was for his talented performances on-screen, he died on the way to a hospital after taking ill while drinking with friends in a bar in Valetta, Malta. He was on the Mediterranean island filming a new movie, "The Gladiator"

Oliver Reed was born in London on February 13th 1938 and worked as a strip club bouncer and fairground boxer before becoming an actor. He quickly achieved fame as an actor and made 53 movies. He is perhaps best known for his role as Bill Sykes in Carol Reed's musical, Oliver! (1968). Other notable films include Women in Love (1969), The Devils (1971), Three Musketeers (1974), Second Chance (1983), and Treasure Island (1990). A volume of autobiography, 'Reed All About Me', was published in 1979.

In his 1989 autobiography "A Living Picture" leading English movie director Ken Russell described Oliver as "the life and soul of the party," but went on to add, "for all his macho image, Oliver is a sensitive actor who approaches his craft intuitively."

He is survived by his wife, Josephine, daughter Sarah, and son Mark