Mayo RNLI group pay tribute to member upon sad passing

Achill RNLI paid tribute to Achill man Michael Edward Lavelle, a member of their fundraising branch, who passed away after a battle with cancer.

Michael Edward Lavelle of Bunnacurry and formerly of Dugort East, who passed away last week, was a stalwart and dedicated fundraiser for the Achill Island Lifeboat since the lifeboat station opened in 1996.

In a tribute to Michael Edward on its Facebook page, Achill RNLI said that he was a proud Achill man who promoted all things to benefit the community.

“It is with the greatest sadness that we record the untimely passing of our esteemed Vice Chairman and former Chairman of our fundraising branch, Michael Edward Lavelle.

"Michael was a stalwart and dedicated fundraiser for the Achill Island Lifeboat since the Lifeboat Station opened in 1996.

“His leadership, encouragement and enthusiasm was infectious through the Branch, as indeed it was in all the other facets of his life.

"Michael was a proud Achill man first and foremost, and always ready and willing to help out and promote all things to benefit Achill and its community.

“Mayo Cancer Support Association and St Colman’s Care Centre CLG in Keel were two of the many good causes close to his heart and which he steadfastly supported. They, as well as many others, not least our own Branch, will be the poorer for his passing.”

Large crowds attended his removal from Lavelle’s Funeral Home in Cashel and his funeral Mass in Bunnacurry Church, where guards of honour were formed by members of the lifeboat as well as the local Fianna Fáil cumman and other community groups.

He was buried afterwards in Bunnacurry cemetery.

Michael Edward is survived by his wife Ann; brothers, Joe(Dugort) and Pat (Galway), sisters and brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and his wide circle of good friends and neighbours.