DEVASTATION AT STEPHEN’S DEATH
THE family of the late Stephen Flood (42) are keen to stress the message that help is always out there and that there is always someone to talk to following the sudden and tragic passing of the father of one on New Year’s Day.
A native of Dolphin Road in Maudlintown, Stephen had been missing for around 48 hours, sparking major concerns among his family. A large search party of family and friends went out looking for him all around the county, before things came to a tragic conclusion on New Year’s Day when his remains were discovered in the church car park in Fethard on Sea. Wexford town, and in particular the south end which had always been Stephen’s home, was rocked by the news of his passing.
Speaking ahead of his funeral service today, Stephen’s brother Dermot urged anybody feeling low to seek help.
‘For the last month or so, he did seem a bit off, but we never would have thought he’d do something like this,’ he said. ‘Myself and my family just want to get the message out there that people shouldn’t be afraid to talk.’
‘From the bottom of my heart I also want to thank everyone who helped try to find Stephen over the couple of days. Unfortunately, it was too late for him to realise how many people cared for him.’
Tragically Stephen leaves behind him his partner Jean and their daughter Ruby who was born just five months ago. He was very much the doting father and took great pride in his little bundle of joy, dressing her up in the kits of his beloved Manchester United.
Born to parents Joe (Pud) and Margaret, Stephen was born and reared in Maudlintown alongside his sisters June and Shirley and brothers Alan and Dermot. Happy childhood days were spent on the green and in the rocks and he went to the Faythe School and later the CBS Primary before attending Wexford Vocational College. At the time of his passing, Stephen was an employee of Waters Technology, where he had worked for a number of years.
However, when mentioning Stephen Flood to anybody in Wexford, it’s unlikely that the topic of sport was ever too far behind. Sport was more than just a hobby to him, it was a way of life. Soccer and football were two of his biggest passions, but he was also a member of Barntown Squash Club and Wexford Golf Club.
In particular, three clubs were united in mourning the loss of Stephen. Just as he had taken them into his heart, so too was he taken into the hearts of everyone else associated with St Mary’s of Maudlintown, Wexford Bohs and Wexford Albion.
The Flood family are engrained in the very fibre of the Mary’s of Maudlintown. Stephen started out playing for them at just six years of age and worked his way through all the grades to adult level before coaching the Junior B and Minor teams in recent times. Paying tribute to him, the club said: ‘Stephen was born with a knowledge of sport and Gaelic football of a man much older; coming up with some vital scores for the club at championship competition, giving great heart and determination when he entered the field of play, he also brought this to his other deep love of Wexford Bohemians Football Club. This is a dark day for all in the club, no words can do Stephen justice. Rest in peace Stephen our clubmate/brother. You shall be missed dearly.’
Bohs were also quick to pay tribute to a club stalwart; one that served as a player, committee member and coach.
‘ The loss of Stephen will be felt by many for a very long time but his memory and what he achieved with the club will never be forgotten,’ a club statement read. ‘In these unprecedented times it’s very hard to share our feelings with each other and to pay our condolences. So, please if anyone is feeling down or having troubles of any kind, no matter how big or small, there is always help out there. Never be afraid to reach out.’
Stephen also served on the committee of Wexford Albion for a time, where he coached schoolboy soccer and brought his trademark passion and a wealth of knowledge to the role. It wasn’t just the clubs that Stephen was involved in that paid tributes either though. The sporting landscape across Co Wexford was in mourning as, whether a teammate or adversary, he was held in the extremely high esteem by everyone who encountered him on the field of play.
Apart from sport, family was everything for Stephen. He adored his nieces and nephews in particular, but his heart was filled with joy at the birth of his daughter Ruby.
Stephen is survived by his heartbroken parents Joe (Pud) and Margaret (Mag), his siblings June, Alan, Shirley and Dermot; his partner Jean and their baby daughter Ruby; his aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and a huge circle of friends.
It’s a sad by-product of Covid-19 that Stephen cannot have the proper send-off he deserves. While mourners could have filled Bride Street Church twice over, people are asked to adhere to the government guidelines. Stephen’s funeral mass will be streamed live at 12 noon today (Tuesday) on the Wexford Parish website www. wexfordparish.com. May he rest in peace.
For those struggling at this difficult time, help is always at hand. You can call It’s Good To Talk on 053 9126596; Talk to Tom on 0818 303061; Pieta House Wexford on 053 9122787 or the Samaritans on 116 123.