Castleblayney mourns and pays last respects to Stephen
THE town of Castleblayney in Co Monaghan came to a standstill yesterday as hundreds of people paid their last respects to father-of-two Stephen Marron.
Mr Marron (47), of Drumillard, Castleblayney, died following a two-car collision in the town’s Main Street last Tuesday night.
His wife Helen, their children, his parents and sisters led mourners to St Mary’s Church, which was filled to capacity.
At the start of Requiem Mass, symbols representing Stephen’s life were brought to the top of the church. His daughter Andrea (9) brought up two family photographs and his son Franco (6) brought up a plaque which was a present from them to be given to their dad on Christmas Day.
Other symbols were a Castleblayney hurling jersey, a Blayney Rovers soccer jersey, a hurley and a sliotar. Members of the two clubs formed a guard of honour.
Parish priest Canon Shane McCaughey told them: “On Tuesday night last, Stephen was surprised by death, and the suddenness and sadness of his passing has caused much heartache and grief for his family and this community.”
He said people had gathered to grieve “the loss of a husband, a parent, a son, a brother, an uncle, a colleague and a friend, but also to give thanks for the life of Stephen Marron. Someone who was so important to our lives in so many different ways. Someone whose presence was so life-giving and now is dead”.
Describing Stephen, he said: “It is difficult to list all the things he did for the parish. From selling tickets to delivering envelopes, no task was too awkward, no challenge too great.”
He delivered hot meals to the poor and elderly, “and later started delivering from the chip shops in the evenings”.
Mr Marron was buried in the church cemetery.