Funeral for tragic jet ski teen Wassiou
BY
TEENAGE soccer player Wassiou Ayawe Moran was remembered as a “true hero on the field” at his funeral Mass yesterday.
Wassiou, 19, from Grattan Court, Old Clare Street, Limerick, died at the scene of a jet ski incident at the village of Killaloe, Co Clare.
Investigations are continuing into the circumstances that led up the tragedy last Wednesday evening.
A recording of Stay With Me (Everybody’s Free), sung by London rapper Ironik, was played at the start of the service at St Mary’s Church.
A poem entitled, Wassiou Awaye Forever 19, was read out by a family friend who recounted how the teen’s “infectious laughter and smile, would light up any room” and “who right from your early start, had gifted feet and was a potential soccer star”.
Fr Richie Davern told mourners no one was feeling Wassiou’s loss more deeply than “his mum Tracey, and no mother should have to live this day, no mother should have to see their child go before them”.
Symbols representing Wassiou’s life were presented at the altar by his sisters Abbie, Ariana,
Tiana and Aaieshah. These included a soccer ball, a fruit drink, a mobile phone and cigarette papers.
Fr Davern said:
“From a very young age Wassiou had a passion for sport, particularly soccer. He played for several teams, but no more was he prouder than when he was selected to play for Limerick FC, he had a passion for soccer and his commitment for this passion was unparalleled.
“He never gave up on achieving his goals, and, his teachers and coaches have described him as the most gifted soccer player they had ever seen.” Mourners wore white T-shirts emblazoned with a photograph of Wassiou.
They were driven in three white-stretch Chrysler limousines, Rolls-royce and Lamborghini Jeeps.
Wassiou was laid to rest in Mount St Lawrence Cemetery.