Fond memories were recalled and many tributes paid to the late Paddy Joe Gaughan at his Requiem Mass celebrated on Tuesday morning, October 28.
Paddy Joe passed away peacefully at his residence in Gortnadreha, Knockmore surrounded by his beloved family following a short illness.
At the beginning of his Mass, symbols of his life were brought to the altar - a family portrait symbolising his love and lasting bond with his family; a photo from his tug-o-war and darts days, a reminder of his love for both games and reflecting his community spirit; photo from Paddy Joe’s farm, a symbol of his love for the land and his animals; a radio, a reminder of his love for music; Mayo and Knockmore jerseys, symbolising his love for his clubs and county teams; bag of sweets, a symbol of his love for all things sweet and his generosity in sharing same with his beloved grandchildren; and finally, a bottle of holy water, a symbol of his deep faith and reminder to his family of the comfort he derived from prayer and the Sacraments.
All those symbols in some small way help to sum up Paddy Joe Gaughan’s life, a life he shared with his beloved wife Ann, his daughters Denise, Tina, Geraldine and Helen, sons Patrick and Adrian, adored 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A family who loved and cared for him always and especially during his final weeks.
Deepest sympathy is extended to all of them at this time, together with his sisters Bea and Mary, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, neighbours and many friends. He was pre-deceased by his parents Paddy and Ellie, sister Evelyn and in more recent weeks by his sister Una.
