Patrick Joseph Burke

The death has occurred of Patrick Joseph Burke, Cornanool, Castlebar, a native of Drunnagh, Kilmeena, Westport.

Removal took place from St Aiden’s Room, Islandeady to Islandeady Church on Saurday, March 24, whee they were received by Fr Chas Guthrie and burial took place on Sunday, March 25, in Islandeady Cemetery after Requiem Mass.

Paddy, as he was known, is survived by his wife Mena and his brother Mike and sister Eileen and his sister-in-law Mary McLoughlin and extended family.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Palliative Care Team or Croí, c/o Kilcoyne Funeral Directors, Castlebar.

The attached eulogy was given at his funeral Mass by his Godchild, Beatrice McGreal:

“Paddy Burke was one of life’s true gentlemen. Paddy was born Patrick Joseph Burke in Drunnagh, Kilmeena, on February 14, 1942 to Peter and Brigit Burke (nee Walshe) Killawalla. Paddy was a devoted husband, father, brother, neighbour and friend. He has one sister Eileen whom he loved dearly, and two brothers Mike, and the late Tommy who passed away on May 6, 2005.

Paddy was called to Heaven with his favourite women at his side, Mena and Eileen and his devoted younger brother Mike.

Paddy married Mena, the love of his life, in 1971. It proved to be a match made in Heaven. Paddy adored Mena and Mena adored Paddy. They were each other’s life, it’s what real love stories are all about. Paddy and Mena shared a strong devotion of faith, and loved the rosary which they said each night.

Paddy was a well-liked and respected man, he had many friends and although he didn’t see them as often as he would have liked to, they still kept in touch with each other, safe in the unspoken knowledge that they were there for each other if needed.

Paddy was a man of invention, a welder, a man who could put his hand to anything whether it was to make a trailer, fix an engine, fix a TV, or make a beautiful fireplace, lay a floor, you name it, Paddy could do it. I heard my father often saying Paddy always knew what exactly you needed that he could make in his workshop. Paddy didn’t work from complicated drawings, it was all in his head. He was a man who was extremely meticulous and went to great lengths to ensure that detail was correct, every line had to be perfectly straight or parallel with another, every curve had to have the correct radius.

The job was always done for everyone, Paddy was always on hand to help. He never said no to anyone, he loved to help. When Paddy was welding in his garage the lights in all the neighbours’ homes would be flickering and they knew Paddy was happy working away. He always told us that there were no ESB cuts in Cornanool, unlike Kilmeena, as they were on the hospital line. Paddy was both electrically and mechanically-minded, he was ahead of his time.

I remember a few years ago calling to Paddy and Mena and bringing my digital camera and computer and showing Paddy and Mena different photos on the computer, and after a while Paddy stared to explain to me how they worked, I was completely lost even though I knew how to work them I couldn’t even try to comprehend what made them work.

Paddy was one of the first people to have a TV set. When we were small Paddy was constantly fixing our television. We had a rope on our aerial and Paddy told us that when the reception was bad to pull on the rope in the direction of Glenisland as that was where the signal came from. Even when it was a more serious problem involving electrical things like tubes and bulbs Paddy was the man. Paddy was one of the first people to mill seaweed and sell it.

There was a great gentleness about him that radiated from his presence. My aunt was telling me that, years ago, when she was a small girl she got caught up in a wasp hive and was covered from head to toe, and on hearing her crying Paddy came running to bring her back to his mother. His gentleness and caring was always evident to all.

His love of children and the youth was always obvious, the bar of chocolate was always in his pocket. Timmy was telling me that he had the gift of keeping young people on the straight and narrow and out of the pool halls. He was able to speak their language and got them interested in one of his great loves, cars. They spent hours in the garage discussing all aspects of cars. Even though he had a great love of cars he didn’t like speeding and he often told Caroline, she was like a flash of lighting.

Paddy was known as the healer by one of his neighbours Breege Kearney as he cured her of one of her pet hates, an antipathy to frogs, which later became known as the Miracle of Cornanool. Paddy and Mike joined the pioneer movement on the same day January 10, 1943. He wore his Pioneer pin with great pride all his life and was particularly proud and honoured when he was presented with his gold pin and later with his Fr Cullen medal.

I was honoured and proud to be Paddy’s Godchild. My late father Padraic and Paddy were first cousins but most importantly they were great friends, Paddy was the brother my father never had. They supported each other through tough and sad times and celebrated with each other on all the happy occasions.

Paddy owned a beautiful quaint stone cottage which would be on the greenway now in Kilmeena. As children we would visit Paddy there and he would bring us across to Brigit Cummins’ shop for the treats, a bottle of Cidona, block of ice cream and Mikado biscuits. And then back to the cottage for the party.

What I remember most about Paddy in his welcoming warm smile when we came to visit. His unrequited love for Mena, his gentleness, kindness and sincerity and his loyality to his family and friends were attributes I will always cherish.

Each time we see a light flicker we will think of Paddy who is now welding in Heaven. May his kind soul have peaceful rest.

Gifts for the funeral Mass

• Timmy brought to the altar some of Paddy’s welding rods and a trailer symbolising Paddy’s excellent workmanship.
• Paddy’s sister Eileen brought to the altar a car symbolising Paddy’s love and interest in cars.
• Noeleen brought to the altar a copy of The Mayo News, which kept Paddy in touch with all the local news of Kilmeena and the surrounding areas.
• Beatrice, Paddy’s Godchild, brought to the altar a much-loved photograph of Paddy, taken at a family occasion.
• Carol brought to the altar his Fr Cullen medal in recognition of his 60 years in the pioneers.