Knappabeg, Westport
Pakie was son of the late John and Annie Reid (nee O’Malley), Knappabeg, and was pre-deceased by his brothers, Jim and John-Joseph (as a baby), and sisters, Mary-Bea and Annie-Kate.
His remains reposed at his home followed by removal to St Patrick’s Church, Aghagower, where they were received by Fr Jackie Conroy, PP. Mass for the repose of his soul was celebrated on Friday, August 15, the Feast of the Assumption, and one of his favourite days of the year. Fr Jackie Conroy, PP, was the chief celebrant assisted by Fr Micheál Hastings.
The readings at Mass were read by Michael Brophy and Declan Coyle, Pakie’s sons-in-law. Prayers of the faithful were read by his daughters, Mairéad and Nicola, and Geraldine Moran. As part of the Offertory Procession, his grandchildren brought tokens representing various aspects of Pakie’s life: a family photograph, representing his love of family, a pack of cards representing his enjoyment of card playing, and new potatoes from his garden, representing his farming life. The gifts of bread and wine were carried to the altar by his daughter, Ann. Throughout the Mass, hymns were sung by Edward Muldoon, who was accompanied by Jennie Kilroy playing the accordion.
In his homily, Fr Conroy spoke of the heartache and sadness of death and the importance of the support offered by our faith in God and the community in times of such loss and sadness. He spoke of Pakie’s great faith in God, from his Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation and Marriage in “this very church.” He then asked Beatrice, Pakie’s daughter, to share her memories of her father. Beatrice spoke of his love of and his kindness to his family, his generosity and hospitality to his neighbours and friends and the pleasure he got from meeting people, young and old. She talked about his passionate interest in farming, the enjoyment he got from seeing the return of his hard work and the importance he placed on traditional farming methods, “working as the season dictated, allowing time enough for everything”. Beatrice then talked about his enjoyment of cards, bingo and road-bowling and mentioned that he “rarely missed a chance to dance”. She went on to say that, for many, not being able to drive would have been a big hurdle. However, it never held him back because, no matter where you saw him, mum was there as well. For a long time he was afraid of flying. He managed to overcome this fear when mum flew to London without him. Flying was never a problem again and he went to America several times after. He enjoyed great health throughout his life until his final illness. His sister, Mary B, and her husband, Dan’s deaths five weeks earlier coming so close together, hit him hard. She then read out the following fitting tribute to her father composed by neighbour and friend, John Malone:
My life it was a happy one,
being full of earthly toil,
and with my wife and family,
we bore goodness from the soil.
Though the work was sometimes hard,
never did I moan,
It was my heaven upon earth,
Knappabeg... my home.
The harvests they were plentiful,
each season came and went,
with beast and fowl and seed in hand,
it was all time well spent.
There was always lots of laughter,
and there were sad times too,
but no matter what we faced,
we always pushed on through.
My life was very happy,
but from it now I’m free,
I’m going to another,
as God has plans for me.
And to my friends and family,
there is no need for sorrow,
let the good times be remembered,
for today and for tomorrow.
Each time the wind blows in the grass
or whistles through the trees,
there is no need to worry,
for it is only me.
So please do not be sad,
as I’m only passing through,
I’m going to another place,
to till the land there too.
The funeral then proceeded to Aughagower Cemetery with neighbours, friends and family carrying him to his final resting place. The large attendance each day included friends from all over Ireland and reflected the esteem in which he was held by those who knew him and the sadness felt at his passing. He is deeply mourned by his wife, Mary; sons, John and Pat; daughters, Ann, Mary, Beatrice, Mairéad, Eileen and Nicola; grandchildren, Ellen, Patrick, Katy, Conor, Mary, Peter and John; sons-in-law, Declan and Michael; and daughter-in-law, Máire.
Acknowledgement
Pakie Reid, Knappabeg, Westport
Pakie’s wife Mary and family: Ann, Mary, Beatrice, John, Mairead, Eileen, Pat and Nicola, would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who sympathised with us on our sad bereavement. We thank everyone who came to his wake, removal, funeral mass and burial and all those who travelled - near and far - to be with us. A very special thanks to our great neighbours and friends for their help, generosity, kindness and support throughout. Thank you to all who wrote, telephoned, sent mass cards and floral wreaths. We would like to express our deep gratitude to Dr Deirdre Collins who looked after him so well and all the staff at Collins Medical Centre. Thank you also to the staff of Mayo General Hospital and Seamus Moran, undertaker. A special thanks to Fr Jackie Conroy for visiting us at home and officiating at the removal and funeral Mass, assisted by Fr Micheál Hastings, who travelled from Dublin, and the Mass servers. A special thanks also to the gravediggers and to Edward Muldoon and Jeannie Kilroy for the beautiful singing and music. We would like to thank all those who directed traffic, and Keanes and Scotts, Aghagower, who provided refreshments after the burial. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, we hope that this acknowledgement will be taken as a small token of our appreciation. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has been offered for your intentions.
Month’s Mind Mass will be offered on Saturday, September 13th at 5pm in St Patrick’s Church, Aghagower.
