BARRY, Gerald

BARRY, Gerald. Died March 14, 2011 - On the first anniversary of Gerald's passing, Brian, Anne, Owen, Suzanne and Clodagh, and all our extended family, remain deeply saddened by our immense loss. We acknowledge with gratitude and humility the wonderful kindness we were accorded by the hundreds of friends, relatives, neighbours, colleagues, from Belvedere College, UCD's L&H, RTE, the Sunday Tribune and many other newspapers - and those from political life, who attended and spoke at Gerald's removal, funeral Mass and interment. Many also visited our home, attended the post-funeral reception, or sent Mass cards, letters and cards of sympathy. We wish, in particular, to thank Gerald's closest friends - Vincent, Tina, Mike, Paula, Brian, Sean D, Kevin, Deirdre, Ed, Olivia, Mary, Sean O'R, and Niamh - for their warmth and kindness towards us, and most particularly for their wholehearted support for Gerald during his remarkable career and sad final months. We are grateful also to the consultants, doctors, nurses, chaplains and other staff in Beaumont and St Vincent's hospitals for their care for and kindness to Gerald over his final weeks. And we offer special thanks to our great friend Fr Donal Neary SJ for his truly touching role at Gerald's removal, funeral Mass and burial. It would, frankly, be impossible to thank all of you individually. But may we assure you that we will forever remember you in our prayers.What is it to die, but to stand naked
in the wind and melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing,
but to free the breath from its restless
tides, that it may rise and expand,
and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river
of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the
mountain-top, then shall you
begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim
your limbs, then shall you truly dance.