The late Frankie Bosco O'Donnell 'loved his family and loved his community'

Frankie Bosco O’Donnell made his final journey to Belcruit cemetery from an overflowing St Mary's Church Kincasslagh to the sound of You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Beforehand, those in attendance - both inside and outside in the January chill - heard eulogies of a man who loved Keadue, a man who was happy in his own self, and a man who was taken too soon, having passed in the early hours of Friday morning in Letterkenny.

Frankie will be sadly missed by his wife Lisa, daughter Sarah, sons Logan and Ryan, parents John Bosco and Bridget, brother Joey and extended family.

“We gather in sadness to say our farewells to Frankie, who is very sadly missed today by his family and extended family,” Fr Pat Ward, who concelebrated the funeral mass with Fr John Joe Duffy, said.

“Anyone who knows Keadue knows that extended family means neighbours and friends, everyone that lives there. They are all from one community, one that is close-knit and one that has had the misfortune to have have had to say goodbye to good people living among them of late. The large crowd will bring some comfort to Lisa and the O’Donnell family.

“Our parish, since Christmas, has been saddened at the passing of various members from within itself and we've had to come to the chapel quite a lot in the last two weeks just to say goodbye to people - some of them lived very long lives and others maybe not as long as they could have done.

“Some simply reached the end of their tenure here in this world and it was time for them to go to God; others were hit by illness and even though they struggled with that in their lives, again for them, it was time to say goodbye. I know that for some of the families, the result was a sense of sadness but there was a sense of relief that the suffering had ended.

“Today's is different, though. We’re left with a sense of injustice, a sense that this was not Frankie's time. He had too many things to do and he was enjoying his life among us. He was enjoying his family and he was enjoying his community; he was a man who wanted for nothing and he didn't ask anything much of God.”

Gifts were brought to the altar. Firstly, a Celtic jersey and Keadue Rovers top, brought up by Frankie’s sons, Logan and Ryan. John Francis Doogan, in his indomitable way, shared memories of his cousin, with heartfelt and witty recollections that brought with them laughter and tears.

“Celtic was a massive part of Frankie’s life,” John Francis said. “Frankie travelled with many of us and friends gone before us on the regular pilgrimage to Celtic Park and beyond. We created some unbelievable memories and many stories, which probably can’t be told here!

“Last May, he was able to take the two boys to Glasgow with the Celtic Supporters Club here in Donegal - a club he was a founding member of - to see Celtic win the Scottish Cup final. A number of weeks ago when Frankie was very low, Celtic manager Brenden Rogers sent a video message and it seemed to pick Frankie up right away. On hearing that Frankie passed away on Friday, Brendan Rodgers sent another text to the family, to pass on his condolences.

“The Keadue Rovers jersey symbolises two things. Frankie was a Keadue man and was deeply proud of the area he was from. He was co-chairman at the club alongside his lifelong friend James Boyle for the last number of years and wore this as a badge of honour. Frankie loved Keadue Rovers and loved to be involved. He was the heart and the soul of the club.”

A picture of the family and also a mug, with their picture too, while the other gift was the Sleeping Joseph statue that Frankie had by his bedside. They showed Frankie’s love for family and faith.

“Frankie loved his family and was quite content with everything he had in life he never looked for anything else,” John Francis added. “He was so proud of every one of them and will continue to be. Frankie wrote his own prayer, which he placed under the statute and the prayer was placed inside the coffin with him.

“You all know Frankie and his family had a tough battle in the last number of years and this can take its toll. However, the love and support that they got, long before this weekend, helped Frankie and his family fight this head-on. The love and respect you have shown has been truly humbling.

“When you do a eulogy, someone told me, it is important to tell the truth about the person. Looking through many of the social media posts where people paid their respects, one that was quite common was that Frankie was a gentleman. Frankie was quite possibly a gentle soul but I'm not so sure but about the gentleman! Frankie was the most impatient, crankiest narkiest, moodiest and most unwelcoming person you could ever meet!

“But despite all this, Frankie was endearing. You wanted to be in his company. Frankie was like a hero to me. A sad coming together - his wake - had parts of laughter, over the weekend. He was a once-off and we will continue to have a wry smile when we hear of him. Frankie fought this deadly illness with fierce determination dignity and courage. He did so because he had these amazing people by his side.

“When Frankie passed away, it broke our hearts. We must sadly let him go. I walked the walk to Celtic Park alongside Frankie many times - but he must go to his own Paradise now. We’ll miss you Frankie, we’ll never forget you and we’ll love you forever."

Poignant music hollowed throughout Kincasslagh, with Gavin Boyle singing/soloist; Trionagh Allen singer/soloist; Hughie Boyle on organ and guitar; John Staunton on guitar and of course, Frankie’s uncle, Daniel O’Donnell.

“I don’t know where you found the bravery and courage, but it was greatly appreciated,” Fr Ward told Daniel after the recital of Beyond the Rainbow’s End. Guards of honour were provided by Rosses Community School and Keadue Rovers FC.

“Frankie had a good engine, a good heart, and a good spirit,” Fr Ward continued. “He'd everything and he had every right to expect to live to a ripe old age. There are many people living among us, living with that unwelcome visitor of sickness.

“This unwelcome visitor doesn't just affect one person. It affects the entire household and it brought Frankie on a journey that would see him find out how delicate health was. Frankie fought really hard to stay with us.

“We were all pleased to hear that things were going well for him we were delighted when he raised almost €15,000 then to help the Cancer Support aeroplane that brought people to Dublin. We were saddened to hear that Frankie's cancer had returned. I say that was the sense of injustice because if ever there was a man content and happy to be exactly where he was in life, then that was Frankie Bosco.

“Frankie was in his element in Keadue. Everything that he had in life, was everything he wanted in life. One of the secrets of his happiness was that it was self-contained. Frankie didn’t need people to validate his happiness. He had that with his family and with his friends. The only thing he asked for - and sadly didn’t get - was his return to good health. His faith never wavered. Frankie loved his family today and will love them forever.”