Unexpected death of generous Patrick Breen
MUCH regret was caused by the death of Patrick (Anthony) Breen, John’s Gate Street, and formerly of Swan View, Wexford.
For the past three years he had been a resident in Kerlogue Nursing home. Although his health was not robust, he had been in excellent form in recent times after he had celebrated his 80th birthday in January. His unexpected death, which occurred in Wexford General Hospital on Tuesday, 11th February, therefore, came as a tremendous shock to his family and friends.
He is survived by his brothers, Jackie, Gerry and Laurence; his sistersin-law Anne, Brigid and Marie, and by numerous nieces and nephews.
After leaving school, Patrick began working as an apprentice mechanic in Roche’s Garage owned by his uncle at Redmond Road. He worked in a number of garages, as well as acting as mechanic on a fishing vessel.
He was a very skilful driver of cars and he eventually became the driver of the first Mobile Bank in the county. That was with the Bank of Ireland and he finished his working life as a porter in the Bank of Ireland.
It was rather ironic that Patrick worked for a bank because few people were as disinterested in money as he was. After providing for his own immediate living expenses, he spent whatever was left on others.
He could never be described as quiet-spoken. He had a thunderous voice which had been developed over many years living with his mother, who was profoundly deaf, and you would always hear him before you saw him. Because of the deafness of his mother, he also had the habit of turning the volume on his television up as high as it would go, thereby ensuring that everyone within a radius of half a mile could enjoy his favourite programmes.
He didn’t smoke or drink and, in his younger days, he was very fit. He cycled a great deal. He was involved in a number of organisations, including the Scout Movement, as well as church-related charities. He travelled to many countries, and he took part in the Ferns Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes on a number of occasions, both as a helper and as an invalid.
After his retirement, life passed quietly and pleasantly for him. He valued his independence and he kept in close touch with his family and extended family. He had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. He never owned a car, but when the mood took him, he would hire one and he travelled all over Ireland visiting friends and relations until he was no longer able to drive because of impaired mobility. Eventually, his condition worsened to the extent that he was advised by his doctor not to leave his apartment.
Of course, he promised to carry out his doctor’s wishes but, like many other promises he made to safeguard his health and strength, he reserved the right to break them when he thought fit to do so.
He was noted for his generosity. He supported all kinds of charities and it was widely known that anyone who ever asked him for a hand-out received a generous response.
He took great pride in the achievements of his nephews and nieces and he never failed to mark their birthdays and other special days with a generous gift. He had a strong faith and he was a daily mass-goer until he became immobile and confined to his apartment. He had an absolute and unwavering belief in the power of prayer.
Above all, he never complained. The last few years were very difficult for him. He was unable to get out and about and the gradual loss of his independence was a heavy burden for him.
For the most part, he was gentle and kind, good-humoured and ready to share a laugh. Life was never dull when he was around. He kept everyone on their toes and, despite years of ill health, his courageous and gentle spirit remained undimmed. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends and by the many people whose lives he touched.
At his funeral Mass, which was held in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rowe Street, on Friday of last week, Patrick’s family paid tribute to the staff of Kerlogue Nursing Home for taking such excellent care of him during his three years as a resident there. They expressed gratitude to them not only for their high level of professional skill, but also for the caring and sensitive manner in which they went about their work.
They also thanked his former colleagues from the Bank of Ireland who were always there for Patrick since his retirement. They assured his colleagues that their interest in his wellbeing was very much appreciated by him and by his family.
Interment took place in St. Ibar’s Cemetery, Crosstown, following Requiem Mass concelebrated by Father Michael O’Shea and Father James Cullen.