Pakie Coyne
Glanagimla, Leenane, Co Galway
The death occurred peacefully on August 2, 2013 of Pakie Coyne, Glanagimla, Leenane, Co Galway. He was aged 85 years and had only been in declining health for a short while.
Pakie came from a family of eleven born to John and Mary Coyne, Shratloe, Leenane. He attended school in Erriff N.S. and later worked for a short while with Bord Na Móna.
He emigrated to England and on his return met Nancy Reilly from Derryherbert, Liscarney, Westport. They married in Aughagower Church and settled in Glanagimla, Leenane, where they reared a family of eleven, seven sons and four daughters.
Pakie worked as a postman for 40 years and was also a farmer. Both jobs he enjoyed as he loved meeting the people on his daily round on his push bike in the early years and on his Honda in the later years. When his postal duties were completed in the evening he looked forward to working on his farm. He would often walk the lands and through the hills, possibly standing in places many of us have never been.
He was a loving friend to everyone, both young and old and to all he met on life’s pathway. The very large attendance at the funeral ceremonies on both days reflected the special esteem in which he was held throughout the community.
Removal took place from Leenane Community Centre to St Michael’s Church, Leenane, where Fr Kieran Burke and Fr Michéal MacGréil officiated at the reception ceremony. Pakie’s funeral Mass was celebrated by Fr Kieran Burke and family members and relatives took part in the liturgy, prayers of the faithful and offertory procession. Appropriate hymns were sung by the Leenane Church Choir. His favourite song ‘Moonlight in Mayo’ was sung by his nephew John Dunne as a tribute to Pakie before the final prayers. He was laid to rest in Leenane Cemetery.
He will be sadly missed by his wife Nancy, daughters Mary Kerrigan (Lettergesh), Ann (Leenane), Philomene and Margaret (Glanagimla); sons Martin John, Michael, John Austin, Peter (Glanagimla), Padraig (Bunowen), Gerald (Clonmel), Bernard (Tully); brother Martin Coyne (Glanagimla), sister Ellen McGreal (Owenwee), brother-in-law John Reilly (Derryherbert); grandchildren, great-grandchildren, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews and nieces, neighbours and friends. May his gentle soul rest in peace.