BEST, Charlie

BEST - Charlie. As we mark the first anniversary of the death of our beloved Charlie, January 21, 2022, a much loved and special person, we would like to thank everyone who sympathised with us at this difficult time. Charlie led a full life and had many friends. He was very involved in so many local community initiatives right up to the end of his life which was a great comfort to us, and for that we are grateful. Charlie’s last days were spent in the extraordinary care of the staff in the Intensive Care Unit of St. James’s Hospital, and we owe enormous thanks to all the care teams and disciplines. We will never forget the doctors and nurses who provided exceptional hands-on care with professionalism, compassion and humanity. We are deeply grateful also to the Fire Brigade staff who brought comfort to Charlie while he awaited ambulance assistance. Covid restrictions were lifted just days before Charlie’s funeral Mass so crowds of people gathered with us in the Church of Mary Immaculate, Rathmines, a church Charlie loved. A very special thanks to Monsignor Eoin Thynne who celebrated Mass and who had been with the family throughout – with Charlie’s wife Alice , his son Kieran and daughter Michelle. Paul Byron’s wonderful singing in the packed church provided enormous comfort. Our thanks to our neighbours in Upper Rathmines, our friends and extended family for their support during this sad time. We appreciate that many could not attend but who joined us online and we send our gratitude also to those who travelled long distances to be with us. We would like to thank President Michael D. Higgins who was represented by his Aide-de-camp, those local and national politicians who attended the funeral Mass, Charlie’s many friends who formed a Guard of Honour and the Gardai from Rathmines, Pearse Street and Kevin Street. To Margaret Roche, Liz Coyle, Jeanette O’Brien and the Swan Leisure Centre, our deep gratitude. Our special thanks to Butchers, James Lawlor, on Upper Rathmines and all his staff for their help in so many ways. They marked Charlie’s death by displaying his photograph and a lantern outside their premises. Thanks also to Thelma in Kuts and Kurls. Our gratitude also to all in The Alice Leahy Trust, to Kieran’s Luas driver colleagues and to Louis Fitzgerald. A special thanks to Dr. Peter O’Sullivan in Rathgar. Thanks to David Fanagan and his colleagues for their guidance, courtesy and professionalism and to Michael Heverin, former editor of The Nationalist for his touching tribute to Charlie. Sincere thanks to all who called, sent Mass cards and emails, letters of condolences and flowers – and who cooked for us. We continue to get comfort from your sustained support. As it is impossible to write to everyone, Holy Mass has been celebrated to acknowledge your support for which we are all so grateful.