The meteorologist Brendan McWilliams bridged the gap between science and humanity and was the original Renaissance man, his Requiem Mass heard yesterday.
Mr McWilliams (63) wrote the Weather Eye column in The Irish Timesfor almost 20 years and was known internationally for his work in the European Meteorological Satellite Organisation (EuMetStat). He moved to Wexford after he retired in 2004 and is survived by his wife Anne, his daughter Laurie, son Stephen and stepson Christopher.
The Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Wexford town was celebrated by Fr Vincent Twomey SVD, professor of theology at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. He became a friend of the family through the marriage of his cousin to Mr McWilliams's daughter.
Laurie carried a copy of The Irish Timesand a reprint of her father's last column to the altar with the gifts.
Fr Twomey said Mr McWilliams' erudition was not limited to his vast scientific knowledge. "He was open to all wisdom, be it from the Bible, the religions of the world, literature, art, even folk tales and customs," he said.
He recalled how Mr McWilliams's first job was in Shannon airport "where he kept his eye not only on the weather. His gaze fell upon his future wife Anne".
Stephen McWilliams told the congregation how his parents met at the tennis club and romance blossomed after Anne, an artist, offered to paint his portrait.
In 1972 he moved to Dublin and came to public notice as weatherman on RTÉ. "His warm personality brought him great admiration and not a few female admirers," Fr Twomey noted.
He said Mr McWilliams was a true gentleman, as defined by Cardinal Hume as "a man of integrity and quiet dignity, never known to hurt anyone intentionally".
Stephen McWilliams described his father as a "family man, warm and wise" and a voracious and curious reader. "There was so much going on behind those kind and intelligent eyes," he said.
His father had been fittingly described as a Renaissance man as he could do anything from making furniture to repairing the engine of their old Morris Marina.
Prof Ray Bates, adjunct professor of meteorology at UCD, said some of his happiest times were spent with Brendan sailing around the Saltee Islands. Brendan often noted that the carbon footprint generated by their activities was very small.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was represented at the funeral by his aide-de-camp Capt Michael Treacy. Leas Cheann Comhairle and local deputy Brendan Howlin also attended. The Irish Timeswas represented by its Editor, Geraldine Kennedy.
The funeral was also attended by former colleagues at Met Éireann including its director Declan Murphy, Evelyn Cusack and long-standing friend Tom Keane. Mourners included former colleagues and friends from Germany, where he had spent more than six years working with EuMetSat in Darmstadt.
