The funeral took place in Letterkenny on Monday of proud Ramelton native Joey McBrearty – who features in this photograph of a football team in Ramelton from many years ago.
At the funeral Mass in St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Monsignor Kevin Gillespie spoke so eloquently about Joey’s life, his many interests and his love for this family.
Mgr Gillespie also made reference to Joey’s pride at being from Ramelton and said the family had a lovely memory of bringing Joey to his hometown from St. Joseph’s Hospital to see the switching-on of the Christmas lights.
Below is the report on Joey’s funeral which was carried in Thursday’s edition of the Donegal News.
Our photograph features Joey on the right of the front row as part of a St Mary’s football team.
SADNESS AT DEATH OF JOEY MCBREARTY
The death on Saturday, April 27 in Letterkenny University Hospital of Joey McBrearty, 6 Errigal Road, Letterkenny, has been mourned by his family and his many friends in Letterkenny and his native Ramelton.
Joey McBrearty
His funeral Mass on Monday in St. Eunan’s Cathedral heard how Joey was a quiet man who had a gentle and caring manner. He loved to give to others, especially his family, who were his world.
Joey was very well known and a popular neighbour and friend.
His many interests were celebrated at the beginning of his funeral Mass when various items were brought to the altar. They included a newspaper, a programme of his beloved Tottenham Hotspur, a family photo, and his car keys which represented his love of cars and motorsport.
Monsignor Kevin Gillespie said Joey always got the Tir Conaill Tribune for the Ramelton news, and the Donegal News every week. He was a lifelong Spurs fan, and was also a big supporter of Finn Harps and the Donegal GAA team.
Married to Mary, Mgr. Gillespie recalled how when Rita passed away, Shane, Lisa-Marie and Aisling became Joey and Mary’s family. Mary gave up her work while Joey continued working in UNIFI.
“All his efforts were for the raising of the children, their development and their education,” Mgr Gillespie said.
“Everything that Joey did, he did for others.”
In later years, that love for his family extended to the grandnephews and grandniece and before he took sick, he would collect them from school.
Joey, Mgr Gillespie added, was always a Ramelton man at heart and a trip out from St Joseph’s Hospital at Christmas is fondly remembered by the family as Joey was brought to Ramelton for the switching-on of the Christmas lights.
Joey and Mary also had a deep love for animals and over the years they rescued and fostered many pets.
Following Monday’s Mass, burial took place in St Mary’s Cemetery, Ramelton.
Joey’s death is deeply regretted by his loving wife Mary, nephew Shane, nieces Lisa-Marie and Ashling, grandniece Aoibhinn, grandnephews Iarlaith, Dylan and Odhrán, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family and friends.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)