By Róise Collins
THERE was a huge attendance at the funeral of Keadue man Frankie Bosco O’Donnell last weekend.
Frankie died in the early hours of Friday morning.
In the days following his passing the whole community rallied together to support the grieving family, from those who gritted their driveway, to those who offered a shuttle service to transport the hundreds of people who attended the wake.
Others simply shared a funny memory that briefly cleared the heavy cloud of grief felt across Keadue.
Frankie is deeply missed by his wife Lisa, his daughter Sarah, his sons Logan and Ryan and his parents, John Bosco and Bridget.
He is also the nephew of country singer Daniel O’Donnell.
His funeral Mass which took place in St Mary’s Church, Kincasslagh on Sunday afternoon was celebrated by Parish Priest Fr Pat Ward and con-celebrated by Fr John Joe Duffy.
During the funeral Mass a number of items were brought to the altar representing what was most important to Frankie, including a Celtic jersey and a Keadue Rovers jersey, which were carried by his two sons Logan and Ryan.
In a moving eulogy by his cousin John Francis, he explained the significance of the gifts presented.
“It will be no surprise to anyone that knew him that Celtic was a massive part of Frankie’s life,” he said.
“Frankie travelled with many of us here today and friends gone before us on our regular pilgrimage to Celtic Park and beyond.”
Frankie was a founding member of the local Celtic Supporters Club.
The congregation heard the story of how one of his proudest days was when he travelled alongside his two sons and the supporters club to Glasgow last May to watch Celtic win the Scottish Cup Final.
Following Frankie’s passing on Friday, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was among the many people who reached out to the grieving family passing on condolences.
Frankie also dedicated much of his life to his local team, Keadue Rovers, where he was joint chairman alongside his lifelong friend James Boyle.
“He wore this as a badge of honour,” said John Francis.
Frankie’s daughter Sarah also carried to the altar a picture of their family that Frankie loved so dearly.
Speaking fondly of his older cousin, John Francis told those gathered how Frankie was a hero to him.
He spoke fondly of their time together and of Frankie’s endearing nature and humour which was loved by so many.
“Looking through many of the social media posts where people paid their respects, a quite common comment was that Frankie was a gentleman.
“Frankie was quite possibly a gentle soul but I am not so sure about a gentleman,” he laughed.
“If you knew him well, he was the most impatient, crankiest, narkiest, moodiest, and most unwelcoming person you could ever meet. Everything socially to him was a chore.”
The congregation laughed alongside John Francis in agreement.
“Despite all of his personality traits, Frankie was endearing. You wanted to be in his company no matter how moody he was. He was the heart and soul of every gathering he was in.
“The numbers at the wake were testament to the feelings everyone had about him.”
However, Frankie’s greatest story is ongoing.
“Lisa, Sarah, Logan, Ryan, Bosco, Bridget and Joey were all loved so much by Frankie and he was so proud to be part of that family, and they will continue to make him proud in every way.
“They will need our love and support in the days ahead and I am sure they will get it in abundance.
“Frankie fought this dreadful illness with fierce determination, dignity and courage, he did so because he had these amazing people by his side all the way.”
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