RIP: 'His word was his bond' Longford saddened by death of late Michael Gettings
Late Michael Gettings, Ardagullion, Granard, Longford
There was much sadness and genuine regret during the week when the news became known that Michael Gettings of Ardagullion, Granard had passed to his eternal reward on Wednesday, July 1 following an illness in the loving care of his family in the Laurel Lodge nursing home in Longford.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Rose (nee Harten) in February of this year, parents Andrew and Margaret, brother Denis, grandchildren Daniel, Katie and Mary.
Michael was a hard working man who travelled through out the county and indeed neighbouring counties with his JCB and he was known for his good tidy workmanship and his word was his bond.
If Mickey said he'd be with you on a day there's no doubt he'd be there that morning.
Mickey and Rose worked for their family and in a humble but nice way they delighted in their achievements.
Mickey was a very loyal supporter of Fine Gael and particularly of the late Senator Tom Kilbride and his daughter the late Cllr Maura Kilbride Harkin and he was always ready to help at election time be it canvassing or driving on polling day.
A man of deep faith, Mickey and Rose attended Mass every weekend in St Mary's and earlier this year when Rose became ill he spent some time in the church praying for her but ironically he became ill himself and was unable to attend her funeral in February.
His remains reposed in the family home on Friday evening July 3 and large crowds came to say farewell to him and to offer sympathy to his family and as the hearse made it's way up the hill to the church it was flanked by a Guard of honour from St Mary's GAA Granard with who his family are deeply involved and also from the members of the Sean MacEoin Fine Gael branch of which he was a life long member.
His funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, July 4 at noon and he was laid to rest beside his beloved Rose in Granardkille New cemetery.
He will be sadly missed and forever loved by his heartbroken family, children Andrew, Patricia, Geraldine, Michelle, Caroline and Micheál, sons-in-law John, David, Enda and Noel, daughters-in-law Sharon and Fiona, his adored grandchildren Clare, David, Edel, Shane, Sean, Sarah, Eleanor, Riain, Keeva, Emily, Maria, Luke, Michael and Evelyn, brothers Andrew, John and Seamus, extended family, neighbours and his many friends. May both he and Rose Rest in Peace.