Obituary: Great sadness on passing of Colin Geagan, Bundoran and Galway

There was a huge sadness within the local community of south Donegal and north Leitrim when the funeral took place last Wednesday, April 3 of Colin Geagan, (known as Kolie) 7 Silverhill, West End, Bundoran and formerly of Poulatagle, Kilmacduagh, Gort, Co. Galway.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family and in the exceptional care of all at The North West Hospice, The Mall, Sligo on Saturday March 30, 2024

At the service, a poignant reflection piece was read by daughter Gina and the eulogy was delivered by his son Paul.

Colin was born in Galway the youngest of a family of 12, growing up with his brothers and sisters on a farm near Gort in Galway.

Colin said his place of birth, Poulatagle was a “place that God created but forgot to bless” and like many of his generation he had to emigrate and moved to London aged just 14 years.

He worked in the building trade as a foreman and many men from Kinlough and surrounding areas got ‘the start’ through Colin.

He successfully ran a number of pubs in England, Waterford and Cork and later on coming to the north west also ran the Melvin Hotel in Kinlough in the 1980s.

He and wife Pat had four beautiful children Paul, David, Marc and Gina.

Colin was fond of sports, particularly horse racing and hurling and he was a promising hurler as a teenager in Galway.

He was known to like a flutter on the horses and was very happy with a win at Cheltenham recently.

Colin was blessed with six grandchildren Anna, Alannah, David, Zoe, Zara and Aoife, whom he absolutely adored.

He and his partner of 33 years, Elaine settled in Bundoran 20 years ago and he really enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren in their home in the West End of town.

He will be fondly remembered for many things including his sense of humour and taste in jokes.

The family have thanked Sligo University Hospital, especially the staff in the High Dependency Unit and Palliative Care team for taking such good care of him in the last few weeks, Bay View Family Practice and Sharon McGuinness, public health nurse.

Colin is predeceased by his parents Michael and Mary, sons David and Marc, granddaughter Zara Witherow, brothers Pat, Joe, Jim, Frank, Martin and Mick, sisters Briget, Margaret and Maryann.

His passing is deeply regretted and he will be forever missed by his loving partner Elaine, son Paul, daughter Gina, son-in-law Mark, daughter-in-law Michelle, his adored grandchildren Alannah, Anna, Gemma, David, Zoe and Aoife, his sisters Ann and Pauline, and all his many nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

Removal from his late residence took place on Wednesday morning, April 3, at 10.30am to St. Aidan's Church, Kinlough, Co. Leitrim for Funeral Service.

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