The Mayo News

Mr David McDermott, Knockranny, Westport, who has died at the age of 51, was one of Mayo’s best-known business figures.

Well-known Westport businessman dies


Mr David McDermott, Knockranny, Westport, who has died at the age of 51 years, was Managing Director of Hastings Insurance Brokers and Advisers and was one of Mayo’s best-known business figures.
He passed away at Mayo General Hospital on Friday last following a year long battle with cancer.  He had fought his illness with courage and a remarkable determination to overcome it.
Several years ago David acquired the Hastings Insurance brokerage in Westport and in the intervening years he purchased several other brokerages in other western towns.
He was very involved in the business and community life of Westport.  He was a member of the local Chamber of Commerce for many years and, in the sporting area, he will be best remembered for his involvement with Westport Golf Club, an involvement which saw him take on the mantle of several officerships in the club, including the captaincy.  He was also involved with a number of other voluntary organisations in the town and was a staunch supporter of any effort made to promote the local economy.
He is mourned by his wife Mary (nee Corcoran), children Keith, Paul, Peter, Maria, David, Brian, Anna and Grace, granddaughter Emma, sister Eleanor, brothers Paul and Dermot, stepmother Mary, mother-in-law Mai Corcoran, treasured family friend Kevin Malone, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, extended family and a very wide circle of friends.
Large crowds gathered at the family home on Sunday evening to sympathise with his wife and family before removal took place to St Mary’s Church, Westport.  The hearse was flanked by a Guard of Honour drawn from the ranks of David’s loyal and devoted staff and members of Westport Golf Club.  Fr Francis Mitchell, Adm., officiated at the reception ceremony.  Concelebrated Requiem Mass was offered yesterday (Monday), with burial afterwards in Aughavale Cemetery.
May he rest in peace. 

Donations in his memory, if desired, may be made to the Oncology Unit of Mayo General Hospital or c/o McGings Funeral Directors, Westport.

{mospagebreak title=On so many occasions, even while he was in pain, he just carried on}
“On so many occasions, even while he was in pain, he just carried on.  He always smiled through his pain.”


Tribute
Liamy MacNally

He lived happy and he had a happy death.  Dave McDermott died last Friday, aged 51.  At the reception of his remains in St Mary’s Church on Sunday evening, Fr Francis Mitchell reminded the huge congregation of an excerpt from the Book of Wisdom: 
“The virtuous man, though he die before his time, will find rest.  Length of days is not what makes age honourable, nor number of years the true measure of life; understanding, this is grey hairs, untarnished life, this is ripe old age…  Coming to perfection in so short a while, he achieved long life; his soul being pleasing to the Lord… Yet people look on, uncomprehending; it does not enter their heads that grace and mercy await the chosen of the Lord, and protection, his holy ones.” (Wisdom 4:7-15 Jerusalem Bible translation)
David McDermott came to Westport some thirty years ago.  He would be the first to remind Covies that he was a born Dub!  His family came from Chapelizod, close to where some of the Corcoran family from the Castlecourt Hotel also lived.  He worked with Pádraig Corcoran when he came west before he took over Hastings and Co Insurance.  Today it has five branches, thanks to his hard work.
He married Pádraig’s sister, Mary, and together they have eight children, three girls and five boys.  Mary Corcoran and Dave McDermott were inseparable.  They doted on each other every day and there was never a day when he did not make Mary laugh.  He was both funny and humorous.  He had a gimp and a glint in his eye that could reduce you to stitches.  His humour was like his second self.  Nothing escaped it and noting was sacred from it.  He loved golf but was never too keen on competition.  Humour found its way onto the golf course on every occasion – with the proverbial four-ball often becoming a five-ball!
He was generous to a fault.  No one was turned away from the business when they came looking for support for a charity, sporting club or event.  His support was often cited by those collecting when they called to other establishments!  He was like the first name in the ‘silver circle’ book.  This generosity was also evident in his kindness.  His whole being emanated that kindness.  That did not make him a soft touch!  He had his own mind and his own opinion, on everything!  And he was never too shy or afraid to let you know!  Yet, never was it done in a threatening or offensive manner.
Dave McDermott was a man of deep faith.  He shared this faith with his wife Mary and their family.  One of the blessings that will emerge in the dark days ahead is how that faith deepened since his diagnosis a year ago.  His personal faith became stronger, as did the family’s faith.  He could not be described as just a Catholic!  He was a staunch Catholic!  His belief was not a mere profession of faith.  He lived his faith.  This faith was based on his personal belief in Christ.  While there were many discussions and arguments around aspects of Catholicism (and other Christian beliefs!) the one constant for Dave was faith in the Risen Lord.  Everything else was like a commentary on that experience of a Living God.  His wife Mary is also a woman of deep devotion and whose countenance is a joy to behold.  That serenity and peace forever smiling on her face will be tested, especially in the forthcoming weeks and months.  Mary takes great comfort from the words of St Paul in his Letter to the Romans: “For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, no angel, no prince, nothing that exists, nothing still to come, not any power, or height or depth, nor any created thing, can ever come between us and the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (8:38-39 Jerusalem Bible translation).  To know that nothing can separate us from the love of God is one thing, believing it requires faith.
When Dave was dying each son and daughter met him individually.  His words to them will be forever etched in their hearts.  He spoke their language, literally.  That was the type of man he was, even on his deathbed.  His illness never came in the way of his personality.  On so many occasions, even while he was in pain, he just carried on.  He always smiled through his pain.  Sitting in his much-loved chair at home with the television remote control was a favoured position!  He died surrounded by those he loved and who loved him.  He was some boy for a Dub!  The crowds who attended his funeral are a testament to that.  May his memory be for a blessing.

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