Man who lost parents hours after daughter's birth pays tribute at funeral

A man who celebrated the birth of his daughter in Qatar only to lose his parents in a house fire in his native Cork several hours later has told their joint funeral mass that they were not only each others “soulmates” but his “best friends.”

Mark told mourners at St Patrick’s Church in Lower Glanmire Road today that four generations of his family had lived in the terraced house in which his “two amazing” parents died. He said that from his great grandparents, to his grandparents to his own mother so many of his relatives had been happily raised in the same house in the Lower Glanmire Road.

“Mam and Dad. I couldn’t have asked for better parents. You gave everything and you never asked for anything in return. I am going to raise Hannah in the image of you and make you proud. We will see each other again as death is not the end. It is a reunion of family and friends who have passed."“They were never apart. And indeed they were and still are soulmates.

Meanwhile, Mark described the death of his parents as being not only a huge loss for their family but for the tight knit and supportive community in the Lower Glanmire Road. Mark said the large turnout at the mass showed how loved his parents were locally. He thanked gardai and members of the fire brigade for their efforts when the alarm was raised and in the days since the “substantial fire” broke out. He asked members of the congregation to give the emergency services and the gardai a round of applause for their “amazing work.”

Fr Kokkandathail said that locals wanted to show their “sympathy, concern and fellowship” at this sad time. He said that a place had been prepared for John and Gabrielle in heaven. We pray for them that they have eternal rest. And we pray for the family that they have comfort and strength.

House Fires Funerals

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