Son pays heartbreaking tribute to Seamus Quinn

“DADDY, we will all carry you in our hearts. We will all miss you forever, and life will never be the same again.”

Those were the heartbreaking words of Seamus Quinn, as he addressed mourners at the outset of his father’s Requiem Mass this morning.

Seamus Quinn (63), a Spanish teacher in Loreto Secondary School in Letterkenny, died suddenly on Wednesday last.

Gardaí and the Police Service of Northern Ireland launched a cross-border appeal to trace the whereabouts of the father-of-five after he was reported missing by his family from their home in Derry on Tuesday, October 21.

“My daddy was the best daddy, in my eyes. I wish I had told him more.

“He had five children, and from the second we were born it was clear that he was cut out for fatherhood,” Seamus told the hundreds of mourners packed into St Patrick’s Church in Pennyburn.

Seamus told of he and his siblings enjoyed fun childhoods, during which their dad would make up fascinating stories while laying on the landing of their family home.

“Caitlin, the eldest child, was born in 1996, while Diarmuid, the youngest, was born in 2006.

“He would take Roisin and Diarmuid to see Jo Jingles and he would be sat there along with a bunch of Derry mammys just singing and dancing along.

“We adored him, and he cherished us greatly.”

Seamus told of how his father would enjoy going to the gym, but rather than exercise, he would spend the time talking about his wife and children.

“There is not another person who got to know their postman so well,” Seamus said, reflecting on his father’s great love for conversation with everyone he met.

Mourners heard how Mr Quinn worked as a teacher in many schools. He was widely regarded as an “exemplary teacher”. Colleagues from Loreto Letterkenny, as well as former colleagues, attended the Requiem Mass.

“He would give love, affection and counsel so easily. And, as we have always known, he was a gifted and exemplary teacher. He was patient and understanding. He taught so many people over the years, and most recently he taught in Letterkenny, where it is safe to say he became an icon, playing the Undertones and Shakira in class. He dressed up as a ‘Derry Girl’ using Roisin’s school uniform.

“He was a passionate fisherman, and he had many a great catch,” said Seamus, who said his father also lent his voice to the Mobuoy dump campaign in a bid to tackle illegal dumping. The Mobuoy site, in Campsie, Derry, is considered to be one of the biggest illegal dumps in Europe.

Seamus told of how when his parents met, they were instant soul mates. He recalled how they had lived in New York and London, before setting at home and building a beautiful life together.

“When it comes to love, nobody loved more than you,daddy. You married here in Pennyburn. You were mammy’s soul mate. You had a lovely life together and you made many special friends. We will all miss you so much.

“Mammy, I am sorry your life partner is gone.

“Daddy, we will all carry you in our hearts. We will all miss you forever and life will never be the same again.”

Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Colm O’Doherty, and was concelebrated by a number of other priests.

Fr O’Doherty, who was a former classmate of Mr Quinn’s, said he was “deeply saddened to say farewell to Seamus”. He urged people to reach out and talk to one another.

Before Requiem Mass finished, Roisin paid tribute to her father by performing a beautiful rendition.

As Mr Quinn’s wife and children walked with the remains of their beloved husband and father, St Patrick’s Church was filled with

Mr Quinn’s wife and children walked with his remains from St Patrick’s Church in Pennyburn as ‘Jealous of the Angels’ filled the air so heavy with grief, before a private cremation.

Meanwhile, a gofundme fundraiser set up by Mr Quinn’s wife and children, ‘In loving memory of Seamus Quinn’ requesting donations to in lieu of mass cards and flowers, has raised £18, 879 for Men’s Action Network. The organisation supports men’s mental health and was one which was close to Mr Quinn’s heart.

Mr Quinn is survived by his wife Jacqueline and children Caitlín, Seamus, Mícheál, Roisín and Diarmuid.