First Anniversary 

November 17th 2022

 

Gerard

‘A million times I’ve needed you,

A million times I have cried.

If love alone could have saved you,

You never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,

In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place,

No one else can ever fill.’

Love you forever 

Many Anne X

Acknowledgement

On the first anniversary of our deeply loved and so sadly missed Gerard, I, Mary Anne, together with Gerard’s sisters Doreen and Teresa, brothers Michael, Jeremiah and Timmy and extended family, would like to acknowledge the overwhelming kindness and support offered by everyone who sympathised with us on our sad and heartbreaking loss.

To Gerard’s special friend Earl, thank you for the joy and happiness you brought Gerard. He was so proud of you.

Thanks to our many relatives, loyal friends and wonderful neighbours who visited our family home during Gerard’s final days and to those of you who had the opportunity to say your farewells to Gerard via phone or virtually. Although this was difficult, it meant so much to Gerard. Thank you.

Our very sincere thanks to everyone who attended Gerard’s wake at his and Mary Anne's home and his funeral Mass and burial, and for adhering to Covid Guidelines at the time.

Very special thanks to all who travelled long distances from different parts of Ireland to pay their respects. Thank you to our dear neighbour Oliver who travelled from Germany to bid farewell to Gerard. Sincere gratitude to all who sent Mass cards, sympathy cards, personal letters with thoughtful messages, text messages and everyone who expressed their sympathy online through RIP.ie and who shared beautiful memories and paid such lovely tributes to Gerard. They have been a source of great comfort and will always be remembered. 

Thank you to the community of South Kerry and beyond for coming out in such huge numbers and showing respect for Gerard by standing in line along the road on the evening that his remains returned to our home and again as he made his final journey from our home to the church in Caherciveen and from there to his final resting place in Holy Cross Cemetery. You touched our hearts. 

We extend our appreciation to Kerry Social Farming, Rural Social Scheme I.F.A. and Kerry Co-Op Board members and ex members for their guards of honour - so many people participated, it was beyond amazing.

Many thanks to friends and neighbours who helped with traffic management and lighting and to Garda Breda O Donoghue O Sullivan who managed the flow of traffic the morning of Gerard’s Funeral Mass.

We would like to especially thank Fr. Larry, for celebrating Gerard’s life in a most beautiful Requiem Mass, for your many visits to Gerard during his illness and for comforting him and his loved ones during his final days. We are most grateful.
 

A special word of thanks and to whom we will be forever grateful;

Dr Kieran O Shea and all at Valentia Rd, Medical Centre who brought comfort, dignity and care to Gerard all throughout his illness and especially during his final days. 

Dr Brian Bird, Oncologist, his entire team and his colleagues in Bon Secours Hospital Cork, along with Dr Orla McCormack, Surgeon and her team in the Mater Hospital Dublin who always provided excellent care to Gerard, our sincere and heartfelt thanks. 

Dr Mags Clifford, Dr Patricia Sheehan and all the Palliative Home Care team, the Irish Cancer Society Night Nurses, The Community Public Health Nurses, my niece Philomena, and all that looked after Gerard with great dignity and respect and were an invaluable support to us during his final days as he lovingly departed this life. 

To cousin Diarmuid, Mary and caring staff in Haven Pharmacy Killorglin, cousin Brenda Meara for attending to his needs during his treatment and to Elaine Walsh O Shea who was always ready to help.

A special thanks to Gerards dear friend Joanne Brown for always being at the other end of the phone if Gerard needed any medical advice or encouragement. 

A big thank you to our dear friend Helen O Mahony for your kindness in taking Gerard to Hospital appointments in Cork and Dublin.

A very special word of thanks to Garvey Undertakers - Paudie, John and Dan, for your sensitive and professional handling of arrangements. Paudie, thank you for carrying out Gerard’s wishes to perfection. Sincere thanks to the gravediggers who lovingly prepared Gerard’s final resting place.

We are grateful to Deirdre, Pat, Oonagh, and Susan who sang beautifully and musician Marian who helped to celebrate Gerard’s life in such a meaningful way. 

Thank you Stephen for singing Gerard’s favourite song ‘The road John Murphy made’ as he was laid to rest. It brought a tear to many an eye. 

To Florist Martina, we thank you for your time and attention in providing such beautiful bouquets for Gerard.

Sincere thanks to Fíona ‘An Corcán’ for providing the food at our home on the day of Gerard’s burial and to wonderful family, friends and neighbours who assisted with the catering, your kindness will never be forgotten.

To our friends and family who brought food, refreshments and helped with the farming during such a difficult time, a big ‘Thank you’. 

 

Gerard made many friends, young and old during his journey through life. Each and everyone of you gave him so much joy. Thank you for supporting him as he bravely battled his illness. 

Sincere thanks to all who made donations to the Irish Cancer Society Night Nurses.

As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our deepest gratitude. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for your intentions. 

 

Gerard’s First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in The Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church Caherciveen at 7.30pm, on Saturday the 12th of November, 2022.
 

Gerard you were someone special, 

someone set apart, 

your memory will live forever, 

engraved within our hearts.