Outpouring of love following death in accident of Indian father of two, visitation hears
Olivia Kelleher
An Indian man who died after his car went into the river as he made his way home from work in heavy rain in Co Cork has received a fond farewell following a “phenomenal” outpouring of compassion and love, his visitation has heard.
Prayers were said for Joice Thomas (34) at Ronayne’s Funeral Home in Fermoy, Co Cork on Tuesday afternoon prior to his last journey to his homeland for his funeral and burial.
The father of two died following an accident on the R628 Conna Road on Friday evening as he made his way home having completed a shift as a kitchen assistant at a nursing home in Leamlara.
Mr Thomas was pronounced dead on Saturday after his car was taken from the water. A passerby had spotted the cat submerged in the water.
He lived on Main Street in Ballynoe, Co Cork with his wife Ruby Kuriakose, their four-month-old son Jacques and their two-year-old daughter Jacqueline. Ms Kuriakose works as a nurse.
His Grace Bishop Abraham Mar Stephanos, Diocesan Metropolitan in the Indian Orthodox Church, told mourners who gathered this afternoon that the community in Ireland and India had come together to assist the family of Mr Thomas at their time of great need.
His Eminence Stephanos said that people of “diverse identities” had joined forces following this tragic event.
“We participate together especially in this season of the joy of the Feast of the Nativity. It is absolutely incomprehensible and unacceptable for anyone with a sensitive heart to accept the reality of the passing away of a young man.
But we see the spirit of the real love overflowing among all of us. For the past more than 48 hours I get to listen to stories of how people can come together at a time of a loss and in the face of a tragedy.
The media and social media — everything revolves around bad news. But we see here how human compassion works together. This is one of the greatest example that love prevails in the world. Goodness sustains in the world. Exemplary leadership, compassion and love has been shown.”
Over €102,000 has been raised for the family of the deceased and to pay for the repatriation of the body to his native Kambammettu in Kerala in India.
His Eminence Stephanos said that outpouring of love from various faiths and communities was a source of comfort to all those who mourned.
“The sadness of the family of Joice Thomas cannot be compensated by the money or anything that we reflect on now.
"But having said that the love being shown right at this moment and in the past two days is phenomenal. It gives us hope that the power of love sustains. This is something that Christ told us.”
Mr Thomas is survived by his wife Ruby and their children, his parents and a sister.
He will also be much missed by his extended family, “loyal friends” in Ireland and India, work colleagues and his “kind neighbours.”
A mass of solidarity was also held at Ballynoe parish Church this morning in support of the family and friends of Mr Thomas.
Donations can be made to the Go Fund page at https://gofund.me/18a0b472b
