On this, the first anniversary of Leo's death, his family of Rose, Enda, Maeve and Ciaran, will always cherish the love and support they received during Leo's very traumatic journey as he came to terms with his diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease. Covid-19 lockdown brought blessings in the midst of dark clouds as during Leo's journey, we became very close as a family. With the unfailing constancy of extended family,  his sister Bernie, brothers Anto and Frank, and sincere friends, we experienced a beautiful calm as Leo grew to accept his fate and prepare to live every day surrounded by those he loved.

We are forever indebted to Leo's huge team of friends and support services. Thanks to his carers, especially Mary, Teresa and Miriam, to his medical team Olivia, Caroline, Audrey and all the palliative care team, doctors Dionne and Neil Healy, Wright's pharmacy team Mark and Cora, and the exceptional care, compassion and professionalism of family nurses Mairead, Maureen, Catherine and Claire. Life would have been unbearable without the loving support of all of the above people.

Sincere thank you to Leo's good friends and family who called regularly and made him laugh when he had no voice to speak. 

We were blessed by the spiritual nourishment Leo and all of us as a family received from our good friends and prayer friends, especially Fr Joe and Fr Liam. Leo was well prepared and ready to cross to his eternal home when he finally left us on Wednesday 16th December 2020.

We thank most sincerely all friends and family, especially nieces and nephews who kept vigil at Leo's wake, all our neighbours who brought food and refreshments and who comforted and supported us. Thanks to Lorraine at Healy's Funeral Services for a professional and caring job with final arrangements. A big thank you to the grave diggers, his friends, who prepared the grave in traditional fashion as a tribute to Leo. 

On the day of the funeral,  as all travel restrictions were lifted,  we were overwhelmed by the huge crowd that turned out, starting from the house, along the lane and to the village, around the Church and later at the graveyard in the cold wind and rain.  Thank you to extended family, friends, to Leo's former staff at Wright Window Systems, to his business associates, our local GAA club for the guard of honour, and all the community who lined the route.  We were deeply moved and we thank you sincerely.   We were greatly consoled by the many kind words and messages on RIP.ie and the very many Mass Cards and notes of sympathy. 

Even though only 25 could attend the Funeral Mass we were deeply grateful to Leo's nephew Vincent who set up the webcam which reached out worldwide. To his lifelong friend Fr Joe Gallagher for a moving and fitting Eucharistic celebration and homily paying tribute to Leo's life, to Fr Liam and Fr William who concelebrated the Mass and to former employee Brendan Leavy who provided the beautiful music, together with his family members. 

We were so sad that we could not personally thank and acknowledge your support due to Covid restrictions but we are deeply grateful.  Despite all the restrictions, Leo was happy and blessed and we his family, wish to acknowledge our deep gratitude to one and all for your personal contribution and also to those who made a donation to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association  (IMNDA) in his honour.

As it is impossible to thank all individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our deepest gratitude and appreciation.  Mass will be offered for your intentions. 

Leo's First Anniversary Mass will be celebrated on December 12th in St Joseph's Church, Milltownpass at 10.15am.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dílis.