Heartfelt tribute paid at funeral of late Jim O'Gorman, Bundoran

The funeral took place on Monday of Jim O'Gorman, Tullan Strand Rd, Bundoran, a man of deep faith, humility and a man who was equally endowed with a particular gift and ingenuity when it came to machines and vehicles, mourners were told at his Funeral Mass.

Deceased had passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Sligo University Hospital the previous Thursday, March 2.

He was the beloved husband of the late Sally O'Gorman, father of the late baby Hugh O'Gorman and brother of the late Kathleen O'Gorman.

At his Funeral Mass in the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bundoran, Canon Ramon Munster P.P. reflected Jim’s piousness and dedication to his family in his homily:

“It is fair to say that when a priest is around a parish for quite a few years and gets to know people well, when it comes to the time of funeral Masses the few words that the priest might put together for the sermon can be a little bit easier because of the connection the priest with the deceased and the connection that the deceased has with the Lord, the parish and the priest.”

Referring to the deceased he said: “Jim was that type of man. He was very humble, a kind and unselfish individual and he was a very religious man. He kept his faith, said his prayers and he looked after those who were close to him.”

Canon Munster reflected on being with Jim when he sadly lost his good wife Salley and his sister Kathleen, but also knowing the family for other joyous reasons.

“It was very, very easy to appreciate the quality of life that Jim showed and exhibited all the time. He was a kind man and thought of other people before he thought of himself and he looked after his family extremely well, he looked after neighbours and friends, not forgetting his little dog Jack,” he recalled.

“His father sadly died when he was a young boy, when he was just seven years of age and he started working on his father’s garage from a very young age.

“He also learned to drive a car at the age of eleven back then, and one of his jobs later on was to drive coaches with pilgrims from Cork who came to Lough Derg and back to Cork.

This would have extended to other places as well,” he added.

Later Jim was a joint owner of an amusement arcade in town during the seventies. He worked in the Olympic in the 1980s and later in the Rubber Factory in Ballyshannon.

Canon Munster reflected:

“He was always considered very meticulous in everything in his work and was a bit of a genius in relation to any type of machine, whether than was a machine in the business, whether it was a car or truck or anything like that.

“People frequently came to the house asking him to help them out by fixing a machine in their house or fixing a car.”

Jim, mourners were told didn’t waste any time at home either and apart from looking after his beloved dog, he also made stained glass lamps, including a little stained glass angel which was on display on the offertory table, “which no doubt he had given to many people down the years as a gift”.

Deceased’s great love of animals was recalled as was his daily walks, where he often would engage with people and older people many of whom he knew, and often chat to them.

His great courage in dealing with health issues, and his great strength and resilience and his faith was a great foundation, was also alluded to.

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“Jim certainly would have understood what life is all about by the quality of his life and faith. Be assured that Jim is in heaven at this time.”

Jim’s passing is deeply regretted by his loving family, sons Brendan and James, daughters Margaret and Sarah, sons-in-law Martin and Aidan, James partner Elizabeth, grandchildren Elijah, Hugh and James, and all the extended O'Gorman, Gavigan and McDaid families, neighbours and friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

The O'Gorman family also thanked the doctors, nurses and staff of Medical 7, Sligo University Hospital for all their care, attention and professionalism shown to both Jim and his family during these last few weeks which was very much appreciated.

Burial took place afterwards in St. Ninnidh's Cemetery, Newtown, Bundoran.