Brendan McGing

The death of the well-known funeral undertaker and hackney operator Brendan Mc Ging of Sandyhill and formerly of Lower Peter Street, Westport, took place following a short illness that was borne with courage and dignity, on Friday, November 20. The deeply felt loss was evident by the large numbers who turned out to express their sympathy to his wife Anne and children, Jim, Brendan, Ger, Adrian and Marcella, daughters-in law, son-in-law and grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Mary Kerr (London) and brother Gerard (Staffordshire).

Brendan was born on September 8, 1934 to the late Jimmy and Elizabeth McGing of Corrig, Sandyhill. He was the second youngest of eleven children. (He was predeceased by eight siblings: brothers, Jimmy, Petie, John, Paddy, Vinnie, Tom, and sisters Lilly and Kitty.) He was educated at the Convent of Mercy Primary School and to the Christian Brothers Secondary School, Westport.  In his teens, he started his working life, working for Jimmy Walsh at his bicycle shop on James Street.

He emigrated to Birmingham on the last day of 1953. He worked as a tool setter there and was a regular attender of football matches at Villa Park. He returned to Westport in early 1958 and started his hackney business at Willie Joe (Pongo) Kelly’s garage on Altamount Street and also drove Pongo’s hearses. He subsequently relocated his hackney business to Lower Peter Street. He established his funeral undertaking business in November 1974, following Pongo’s retirement. His first two hearses were a Chrysler Desoto and a 1957 Chevrolet Belair, which he has previously driven for Pongo.

He married Anne Mulchrone of Drunnagh, in Myna church, Kilmeena on April 23, 1963. They had five children, four boys and one girl, whom he cherished. They lived on Lower Peter Street and later built a house in Sandyhill on the property of the ancestral home.

Over the years he transported numerous children to primary and secondary school in Westport, and to St Anthony’s and St Brid’s Special Schools in Castlebar. Many remembered Brendan with fondness as they recounted these memories while attending his funeral. He transported employees of the former Cosiware / Lastra Foundations factory from the Ballinrobe and Ballycroy areas for a number of years.  He also brought people from the Carrowholly, Taobhnacroagha, Lanmore and Cogaula areas to Sunday Mass, in times when cars were scarce.

He directed the funerals of numerous people over the years, including those of actor Robert Shaw in 1978 and author Eric Cross in 1980. He touched the hearts of the bereaved families he helped through his professionalism and sensitivity, in their time of need.

He drove the late Michael O’Hehir, sports commentator and his family from Westport Railway Station to their holiday home and back, regularly over the years. This led to the establishment of a lasting friendship between him and the O’Hehir family. Brendan had a keen interest in horse racing, soccer, GAA football, hurling and snooker.  He attended the All-Ireland Football Final in Croke Park in both 1950 and 1951 when Mayo were victorious. He drove the late John Lennon, while on a visit to Westport. He would proudly recall driving Princess Grace and Prince Rainier from Shannon airport to visit her ancestral home in Newport.

He gave his allegiance to the Fine Gael party and was involved in a number of election campaigns over the years.  He was involved in the West Mayo by election in 1975, which led to the election of Enda Kenny to DΡil Éireann as well as a number of general election campaigns that were contested by Myles Staunton, Patrick Durcan and Michael Ring. He was also involved in local and European elections.  He would jokingly say, ‘Vote early, vote often!’

He reposed at his home in Sandyhill, Westport from Friday, November 20 until Sunday, November 22 when his remains were taken to the family funeral home in Lower Peter Street, Westport. Requiem Mass was held in St Mary’s Church Westport on Monday, November 23 which was concelebrated by Fr Charlie Mc Donnell, Fr Karl Burns, Canon Tony King, Canon John Cosgrove, Fr MicheΡl MacGréil, Fr Paddy Gill, Fr Jackie Conroy and Rev Val Rogers. He was buried afterwards in Myna cemetery, Kilmeena, Westport.

He was a well-recognised figure around the Octagon, walking with his hands behind his back and sporting his braces. His was known for his quick wit and had a word for everyone. The extent of his generosity, words of advice and positive influence can only be truly known by those who received it. Most of all, he was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by everyone.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.