The death of 16-year-old Tony Parker, who collapsed at school, was a "tsunami" for the community, mourners at his funeral were told yesterday.
His death had turned their world upside down, but the greatest impact of that tsunami would be felt by his parents, Geraldine and Tom, his sister Edel, and brother Paul, Fr Pat Kiernan said at concelebrated Mass at Corpus Christi Church in Mount Temple, six kilometres outside Moate. The teenager was a pupil in Moate Community School.
The unassuming boy, who was the woodwork student of the year, would have been embarrassed by the attention he was receiving, said his uncle and godfather Tony Farrell. He was a "loving and adoring son to Tom and Ger, a loyal brother to Edel and Paul", a "true gentleman and an inspiration to us all", said Mr Farrell.
Hundreds of mourners packed the church to overflowing and his school friends lined either side of the flower-filled hearse outside as Fr Kiernan spoke of how Tony had returned to school on Monday to do the subjects he wanted, with teachers he liked, and classmates he knew.
Little did they know as the teenager took the bus to school that morning what was to happen at noon that day, the priest said. The teenager had been doing stretches before a PE class when he collapsed.
His school remained closed yesterday and fellow students attached floral bouquets to the school gates after Requiem Mass.
Outside the packed church, as the Mass was celebrated, the teenager's school friends and students from other schools flanked the sides of the hearse, standing or sitting in the sun, some weeping, others holding flowers. Inside, a framed photograph of the smiling teenager stood on top of the coffin with a crucifix and bouquet of lilies. Offertory gifts brought to the altar included a chisel and a framed exam certificate to mark his talents at woodwork, his drawings and designs.
An MP3 player was also offered as a symbol of his love for music, especially bands The Blizzards and Green Day. A photograph of his niece and two nephews was brought up as a symbol of his love for them, the congregation was told.
Just before the Mass ended, the teenager's godfather paid tribute and said how his nephew never looked for praise and attention. He was so unassuming that when he won the woodwork award he told his mother that it was "just an oul' plate".
He was also so talented that he was remodelling the front of the family home and had just finished part of it. "He always had some project or idea in mind," said Mr Farrell. He had built a doll's house for his two-year-old niece. He supported Westmeath in GAA at Croke Park and Ireland at soccer.
Mr Farrell said his family would remember him as "forever young, forever living, forever loving and forever 16 in our hearts". Students lined the route as the hearse left the church for burial at Donegan cemetery, a mile from Mount Temple village.
