David Gavin remembered as ‘gifted, humble and kind’ at memorial Mass

Edwin McGreal
Castlebar

A jar containing sand and water from the Canadian lake where Breaffy footballer David Gavin drowned was one of the symbols brought to the altar at a moving memorial Mass at a packed to capacity Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar on Wednesday morning.
It is in Kinbasket Lake in British Colombia that searches have been ongoing since June 30 for David, aged 26, after he got into difficulty shortly after jumping off a bridge into a river close to the lake.
The search is ongoing and the hope is that the Gavin family will, at some stage, be able to have a funeral Mass for David. However, the sand and water was also a tacit acknowledgement that there are no guarantees the search will be successful.
Mourners were told that David is ‘now at peace in one of the most beautiful places in the world’.
So beautiful, that just before the tragic accident on June 30 last, David told his friends who were travelling with him from Vancouver to a GAA tournament in Calgary, Alberta that he was in ‘paradise’.
In a moving and fitting tribute to his nephew at the end of a tearful service, Brian Gavin told mourners about how happy David was in Canada with his girlfriend of nine years, Ciara O’Malley, prior to the tragedy.
“David was so happy in Canada with Ciara and they made great friendships. Ciara, you and David were so lucky to have had each other in each other’s lives for over nine years and I know you made David so very happy.
“David loved Canada for so many reasons. He found a job he loved and the Canadian way of live suited David, it was quite relaxed, just like him.
“We know that David was smiling right to the end as just before the accident he told the lads that he was in paradise. Today we should all smile that big David Gavin smile and be thankful that he was part of all of our lives. As the search for David continues, we hope that we will be able to bring him home to Mayo some day but, for now, we will keep David close to our hearts,” said Brian in an evocative address.

‘Something went wrong’
Fr John McCormack, curate in Breaffy, was the chief concelebrant. He referenced the tragic day, Friday, June 30 last.
David and some of his friends from the Irish Sporting and Social Club (ISSC) football team were on a road trip from Vancouver to Calgary for a GAA tournament and, on a sweltering hot day, stopped for a swim, to cool off.
“Innocently, some of them walked over to a bridge that overlooked this beautiful place. It was at a height that David was comfortable with. He had often jumped from higher heights before and there was no sign of danger.
“David was the first to jump and something went wrong when he hit the water, resurfaced and then disappeared. Something went wrong. His friends responded immediately but were unable to trace David. What went wrong we don’t know and we will never know unless David is found. In the mean time speculation won’t give us answers,” Fr McCormack told the congregation.  
He reflected on how talented yet humble David was.
“David Gavin was gifted. Gifted academically, athletically and artistically. He was a gifted, humble, kind person. A wonderful example of humanity at its best,” added Fr McCormack.
Brian Gavin issued thanks to all who helped the family in recent weeks. In conclusion, he reflected on David’s wonderful young life.
“David had 9,610 days that he lived, laughed and loved and every day counted. David, although his life was cut short, accomplished so much and had so much to be grateful for that we can say his life was not wasted,” he said.
“The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long and, you, my friend, have burned so very, very bright. Until another day David, fly high and shine bright.”

MORE See next Tuesday's Mayo News for an extended report.