SADNESS AT SUDDEN PASSING OF PAT WHO SERVED AS A PARAMEDIC
WEXFORD and Waterford were united in grief last week as news broke of the passing of Pat O’Brien, a native of Bernadette Place in Wexford, who had been living in the Déise for a number of years. Pat was extremely well-known in his work as a paramedic with the National Ambulance Service and saved countless lives and helped a huge amount of people over the course of a distinguished career.
In the past, Pat would have also served with the Irish Defence Forces and volunteered with the Civil Defence, the Irish Red Cross and the Order of Malta, all showing the value he placed on helping people.
The son of the late Gerald and Anastasia O’Brien, Pat took ill suddenly at home in Ferrybank, Co Waterford, last week and despite the best efforts of his colleagues on the ambulance service and in the Emergency Department at University Hospital Waterford, he sadly passed away.
Extremely well-respected in his profession, Pat had worked for the National Ambulance Service since the early 90s and was always to the forefront of patient care from ambulance driver to EMT, paramedic and on to becoming one of the very first advanced paramedics in Ireland.
Paying tribute to him, his colleagues in the Waterford and Dungarvan Ambulance Station said: ‘His sudden passing will leave a huge void in our station, he was always one for laughing & joking, jokes only he found funny at times! An avid reader, he loved to read pre-hospital care books as well as books on history.’
‘Pat was always a well liked member of staff which was obvious even within the short time of his passing from the amount of condolences and messages we have received. He was always happy telling us about his holidays and the places he had visited and was proud to have represented the NAS a number of times on trips to the USA.’
‘Rest easy Pat, your tour here is done. You have been called back, we will take it up from here.’
Sadly Covid restrictions meant that Pat couldn’t get the large send-off he deserved, however, tributes to him poured in last week from colleagues, those he had helped over the years and family and friends in Wexford and Waterford.
The National Ambulance Service Representative Association said, ‘Pat touched many lives in his community and beyond throughout his career.
He will be sadly missed and always remembered by all that knew him.’
Predeceased by his parents and his sister Kathleen, Pat is sadly missed by his loving wife Trish (nee Walsh), son Gerald, daughters Joanna and Orlaith, daughter-in-law Sara, granddaughter Sophie, brothers Tom, John and Peter, sisters Mary and Breda, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, his colleagues at National Ambulance Ser
vice, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
He was laid to rest following his funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Ferrybank, Co Waterford on Thursday morning. May he rest in peace.