Joe BYRNE

We, the family of the late Joe Byrne, would like to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to everyone who sympathised with and extended their condolences to us over the past few weeks.

We would like to acknowledge all those who paid their respects in any way. To those who stood out on the road, attended the wake and funeral mass, telephoned, sent letters, messages of condolences, mass and sympathy cards, flowers and food we thank you sincerely.

A special word of thanks to our neighbours and friends who helped and supported us in so many ways, preparing for and working tirelessly at the wake, those helping with traffic and parking and to those who gritted the road in the poor weather conditions. Your kindness and warmth will stay with us.

The Funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Kevin McElhennon and co-celebrated by Father Roland Colhoun. We would like to extend our gratitude to both for making Joe’s Requiem Mass so meaningful and spiritual. To Father Kevin McElhennon we thank you for your very thoughtful and comforting homily as well as your spiritual support to Joe and ourselves through the years.

Our gratitude extends to Orla Mc Kernan and Eamon Mc Garrity whose beautiful music and singing enhanced the ceremony and to Declan O Kane for the poignant music at the gravesite. To those who prepared the church and contributed to the service, thank you.

We wish to give thanks to Bankmore Hire for lighting, Ciaran Byrne of Byrne coach hire who along with our neighbours and members of KIllyclogher GAA club ensured the smooth running to and from our home.

To all who attended Joe for spiritual blessings during his illness and visited him in hospital – Fr McElhennon, Fr Colhoun, Fr Brian Darcy, Fr Michael Canny and to Father Gilmore, Monsignor Dolan and Father Arkinson for their words of comfort following his death.

Many thanks to Peter O Kane, Funeral Directors for your compassionate, professional and dignified manner in which you carried out all funeral arrangements. Thanks also to Aerin Mc Gaughey for preparing Joe’s final resting place with such care and to The Daisy Chain for the floral tributes.

We would like to acknowledge our thanks to Mark and Mairead Mc Bride for providing refreshments in the Cappagh parish hall.

Our heartfelt gratitude to all the medical staff, healthcare workers and exceptional carers who looked after Joe, including those in Altnagelvin hospital who treated Joe and our family so well in his last few days.

As it is impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a measure of our appreciation to those who helped and supported us in any way.

Joe is sadly missed by us all as a family.

Ursula, Aoife, Emer, Eoin, brother PJ, sister Geraldine, nephews Bernard and Sean Mc Namee, nieces Clare and Anne and extended family and friends.

Joe’s Months Mind Mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Killyclogher at 9am on Sunday 1st February.