Dr Mickey Loftus is laid to rest

Michael Gallagher

THOUSANDS thronged into Crossmolina today (Tuesday) to bid farewell to a man described as ‘a humble giant’.
Dr Mickey Loftus might have been an All-Ireland winner with Mayo, a former President of the GAA and a man who received honorary doctorates and awards previously reserved for world leaders, but as the sun shone from the heavens, those in Crossmolina remembered a husband, father, grandfather, brother; a GP, a community activist, clubman, neighbour and friend.
Dr Loftus passed away on Saturday last and since then the town which sits on the Deel River has been visited by mourners from all across Ireland and further afield who came to pay their respects to a man who touched the lives of so many.
Today, 15 priests were on the altar in St Tiernan’s Church when the funeral Mass was celebrated in front of a thronged congregation as the life of the town’s most famous son was celebrated.
Among those in attendance were current GAA President Larry McCarthy and Jarlath Burns who will assume the role at the next GAA Congress. They heard Rosanna Loftus, Dr Mickey’s grand-daughter read a poignant tribute to her ‘Poppa’ where she recalled the fun and undiluted love shared between them.
Gifts presented during the Mass included family pictures, a wedding picture of Dr Mickey and his beloved wife of 67 years, Edie, a stethoscope, Pioneer pin, football, a whistle and his All-Ireland senior medal from 1951.
Near the end of the ceremony, three of Dr Mickey’s children, Patrick, Orla and Michael recalled his life and the three pillars on which it was built, family, medicine and the GAA.
Patrick spoke about the love inside the family unit and the perfect harmony between Dr Loftus and his wife in all aspects of life. “She was a willing accomplice and partner in crime. When she arrived on the scene it was like pouring petrol on a flame.”
Orla took the congregation through a life dedicated to the community through his medical practice after arriving back in Crossmolina following his studies. “He came back as a locum cover for two weeks and that stretched to 60 years of service,” she explained before describing some of the escapades her father undertook caring for patients over a huge swathe of North Mayo.
She also listed some of the awards and doctorates received by Dr Loftus — “honours previously reserved for world leaders whose aims and objectives were to enhance the lives of people. He was a remarkable human being and has left a proud legacy as a doctor and humanitarian.”
Finally, Michael Loftus, spoke about his father’s sporting life and his great love of the GAA.
Michael told how in 1949 his father didn’t have a ticket for the All Ireland final and climbed up on the wall of the Cusack Stand to get a view of the action.
However, a Garda came along and told him to get down off his perch. He did so, but when passing Barry’s Hotel encountered Mayo official, Fr O’Hora, who gave him a ticket. He returned to Croke Park and watched the game from the Cusack Stand. 
“It’s amazing to think that 35 years later he was involved in the knocking of that old stand and the reconstruction of a new one,” Michael explained before taking the congregation through a wonderful sporting life where lifelong friendships were forged and enjoyed.
Finally, Michael told the mourners about a memorable encounter late one night at the family home in Crossmolina.
“There was a knock at the door late one night and our father put his head out the upstairs window. “There was a man on the street outside and he said, “Please doctor, can you help, it’s the wife. “Father asked “Is she in labour?” and the man immediately replied “She is not, she’s in Fianna Fail, just like yourself.”
Following prayers, Dr Loftus’ coffin was carried from the church and taken through the streets he loved so well to his resting place on the edge of the town.
He was accompanied by hundreds of mourners, club colleagues and friends.