Patrick Hugh (Paddy) O’Donnell

Patrick Hugh (Paddy) O’Donnell, whose death took place recently , was a retired boiler engineer  from Gurteen, Fahy, Westport. He was 93 years old  and passed away peacefully,following a  a short illness. The following eulogy was delivered by Padraig Mc Loughlin,son-in-law, at his Funeral Mass.

“Patrick Hugh (Paddy) was born on March 9 ,1922. He was the eldest of seven children born to Mary–Susan Walsh and Jack O’Donnell. His father owned the only public house in the Half-Parish. It was named “The Showboat”. The Black and Tans fired a random bullet into the pub just missing  their first-born  son.

Paddy married his soul-mate and true loyal friend, Teresa Corcoran, on November 22, 1950 - over 64 years married.

Recently Teresa spent time in hospital and if one witnessed their  beautiful, tender, aching goodbyes, not knowing if they would see each other again, one would truly understand the meaning of Christian marriage. Thank God they did see each other again.

Paddy worked for 47 years in the Irish Sewing Company on Altamount Street where Tesco is now. He was responsible for the engine of the factory, the boiler. The boiler room was his kingdom and he took care of the boiler as if his life depended on it. For many years the boiler was activated by coal but later it became computerized and Paddy  took this technology in his stride. He started work every morning at 6 o’clock, hail, rain or shine.

In winter he became an expert driver on frosty  roads but one would not enjoy travelling with  him on those occasions. If the boiler did not function the factory did not function. He was hard working, reliable, punctual and he was expert in his area. These are the qualities that define a man  in his work place. But it is what a man carries in his heart that is the true essence of a man. When we did we can only bring with us what is in our soul. Paddy carried great love in his soul for Teresa and his family, for his God and for his Church. But he also carried great love for his extended family and his fellow man. He loved his fourteen grandchildren and his great-grandson, Mark Coakley, unconditionally and they adored their grandfather.

His grandson, Patrick McNamara,far away in Australia and unable to travel home sent this following message.

“My grandad was one of the wittiest people I know. I’d never get tired of his funny comments and the grin on his face. He would always try to help with anything I might be doing or working on and he would always want to know how it was  going. I’ll miss the stories he’d tell about when he was younger and how things were and I’ll miss driving past and seeing him sitting in the front porch keeping an eye out for  us all. Grandad, you had a heart of gold and I’ll look forward to you making me laugh again someday.”

Paddy loved when no one could fix something and he would  enjoy great pleasure in figuring out how to fix it. His sense of humour is legendary within the extended family and in days to come we will laugh at his witty observations once more and recall his dancing steps at the family weddings.

He rang the altar bell in Fahy Church many times and often he was the sole worshipper. The bells in Heaven are ringing for him now. He won’t be lonely in heaven because there to warmly greet him will be his beloved mother, Mary-Susan, his father Jack, his sister Kitty, his brother Eugene, his grandson, Jonathan Keane, his mother-in-law Agnes and his father-in-law Patrick Corcoran, his sisters-in-law, Mary Kelly and her husband Michael Bernard, Mullingar, Agnes Murphy and her husband Dan, England, his brothers-in-law Petie-Joe Corcoran and Padraic Corcoran and dear Minnie.

He will be truly home in every sense of the word.

Paddy was non-judgemental and never negative. He did not gossip. He belonged to the old Ireland Where money and material goods did not define a man but rather that deeply rich word, “Decent”. For Paddy was decency personified. Goodness flowed through every pore in his body and he was

The Good Samaritan to many people in his time. He worked hard for his family. He never shirked his responsibilities and always his focus was Teresa and his family.

No matter how the world changes and develops, no matter what the technology or advance  human nature remains constant and never changes no matter what the era. Paddy lived through many eras on his journey through life but through them all his goodness, decency, caring nature, commitment to Teresa and his family and his compassion for his fellow man remained constant. And that is why we are sad today but also why we celebrate with joy a life well lived. His was a life of sheer quiet goodness. Goodness is never loud or brash but a massive strong silent force changing peoples lives subconsciously. Goodness says to everyone-this is how you live your life. This is what Paddy has passed onto his children, his grandchildren and great-grandson- Be Good, Be Decent, Be the Good Samaritan.

This is the wonderful legacy Paddy has left to succeeding generations. Albert Einstein said-“Our Death is not an end if we can live on in our children. For they are us.” And Paddy will live on in his children, in his grand children and in his great grand children to come because the message he has left behind will always be eternal no matter how this world changes-Be Good, Be Decent,Be the Good Samaritan.

William Wordsworth writing about a man who had died wrote,

“A Power is passing from the earth.”

We are all powers passing through this earth and passing from this earth.

Wordsworth went on to stress, “But when the great and  good depart, What is it more than this-

That Man who is from God sent forth Doth yet again to God return,

Such ebb and flow must ever be,

Then wherefore should we mourn?”

Why should anyone mourn when we reflect that  Man who is from God sent forth Doth yet again to God return.

Dear Paddy, my wonderful father-in-law:

“Fear no more the heat of the sun nor the furious winter’s rages

Thou thy worldly task hast done-home art gone and ta’en thy wages.

Golden lads and lassies must, as chimney sweepers come to dust.”

May Jesus whom you loved take merciful care of you.”

Removal took place from St. Aiden’s Room, Islandeady to Fahy Church and there was a full congregation for the Requiem Mass. The chief celebrant was Fr. Jim Walsh who had brought Christ’s healing tongue and touch to Paddy countless times. He was assisted by Fr. MicheΡl MacGréil.

Paddy is survived by his devoted wife, Teresa, daughters Bernie  O’ Donnell-Sovacol (Colorado), Agnes McLoughlin (Carrowholly), Geraldine Frenchman (New York), Kate O’Donnell (Gurteen}, Nuala Keane (Galway), Phyll McNamara, (Gurteen) and son Pat O’Donnell (Gurteen), sisters Phil O’Donnell (New York), Nonie (England) and Mary (Longford), brother Martin O’Donnell (Gurteen), sister-in-law Eileen Noonan (Monamore), sons-in-law Padraig Mc Loughlin, Dan Sovocool, Robert Frenchman, David Keane and Dermot McNamara , fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandson, nieces and nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Paddy was predeceased by his sister Kitty (England) and his brother Eugene (England) and we cannot end without mentioning the beloved family dog Teno whom dad loved.

“Until we meet again Dad, my wonderful friend and father. I can’t imagine the rest of my life without you in it. I love you more than words can ever say, and miss you so much”.

-Phyl xxxx

 “Say it not in grief that he is no more but live in thankfulness that he was.”