The death has occurred of:
Richard Dalton
Acknowledgement
Mairead and the children of the late Richard (Rich) Dalton wish to express their deepest and most heartfelt thanks to all who sympathised with us following the loss of our beloved husband and Daddy.
Our heartfelt thanks for every prayer, thought, card, letter, message, phone call, flower, meal, offer of childcare and every expression of love shown to us. I will remember every single gesture of kindness and I thank you wholeheartedly.
We are especially grateful to all those who travelled great distances to join us in celebrating Rich’s life at his funeral. In particular, we thank the Flannery and Kelleher families from Cork, the Burns family from Kildare and all the friends and neighbours from Drumcliff, Sligo. Your presence with us was a beautiful testament to the love you hold for Rich and his family.
A very special word of thanks to Fr. James for the spiritual comfort, blessings and prayers he offered to Rich on the day of his death. What we experienced that day was a beautiful miracle, for which I will be eternally grateful. We also extend our sincere thanks to him for the deeply intimate and God-centred funeral celebration. Thank you also to Fr. McArdle for his kindness, support and continued prayers for our family. Our thanks to Robert the Sacristan, the Eucharistic Ministers and the Altar Servers for their contributions to the Mass. We are also deeply grateful to Joe Wilson and family for preparing Rich’s final resting place with such care and respect.
Margaret Ann, thank you for the beautiful music. It was soulful, prayerful and holy and brought such a special atmosphere to the Mass.
Thank you also to Pat and Oliveen of the Black Sheep Bar and Restaurant for providing the lovely refreshments after the funeral celebration. Oliveen your kindness towards us will be remembered by me always. Sincere thanks. Additionally, many thanks to Gerry and Sheena from Christie Print for the beautiful mass booklets. Thank you both for your generosity and your attention to detail.
To Rich’s nephews and nieces, Kate, Richard, Hugo, James, Anna, Rose, Michael and Madeleine, thank you for participating so beautifully in the funeral Mass. Rich would have been so happy and proud of you all. You honoured him in such a special way.
Our profound thanks to Fiona and all the wonderful staff of Ballylifford Primary School, along with Paula and the lovely girls at Discovering Kids Playgroup, for the continued care, kindness and support you have shown Luke, Jude and Eve. Your love and consideration mean so much to us and we are truly grateful. Thank you also to the sporting communities and various other groups of which our children are part, for the kindness and support you continue to show our family.
A special word of thanks to the doctors and all the staff at Coagh Medical Practice for their care, guidance and support throughout Rich’s short illness. We are equally grateful to John, Fiona and the wonderful team at Coagh Pharmacy. The genuine compassion and care you show to people in your community is truly outstanding. We thank you sincerely.
To all the other medical professionals involved in Rich’s care and treatment, thank you for your kindness, compassion and support throughout such a difficult time.
Thank you to all Rich’s colleagues at Almac. You showed the utmost respect for and care for Rich throughout his illness and I am so grateful.
To Conan and Pat of Lavery’s Funeral Directors, we are deeply indebted to you for your compassion, professionalism and the dignity, sensitivity and respect with which you guided us through Rich’s funeral arrangements. Your support brought great comfort to us at a time of immense sorrow.
To the Dalton and McGuckin families, the unwavering love you continue to surround us with is more precious than words can express. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Lastly, and most importantly, I give thanks to Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for never leaving nor forsaking Rich, myself or our children at any time. He is great, and it is in Him that we live, move and have our being (Acts 17:28). Through the deepest sorrow, His presence remains our hope, our strength and our peace.
A private family memorial celebration will be held at a later date.
Mairead, Luke, Jude, Eve and baba Richard.