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Aidan Moffitt was a character who lived life to the full and who always put family and friends first, mourners at his funeral heard today.
The main celebrant at the funeral Mass in Mr Moffitt’s native Lisacul Co Roscommon said there were no words to describe the grief being endured by the Roscommon man’s family and many friends.
Family friend Fr Michael McManus said he would never forgot the morning of April 12th when Aidan’s brother Christy rang and told him Aidan was dead.
“I was left in a state of shock just like the rest of the country.”
“Words fail at this time and yet all we have are words to show sorrow and support,” said Fr McManus.
The people who thronged the church of Christ the King heard about the local man’s many interests – his love of Roscommon GAA, his passion for horse racing and his joy when Ashjan a horse he co-owned won at Downpatrick in 2017 and his professional successes.
But one friend, Martin McMahon, said the word that shone through in any reciting of his life was “kindness” which was most evident in his devotion to his mother Kathleen and his family.
In a eulogy Mr McMahon also recalled his friend’s interest in politics and his desire to make people’s lives better and his admiration for Michael Collins.
“How poignant is it that the two big fellows died 100 years apart,” commented his friend as he pointed that a commemorative pen marking the 100th anniversary of Michael Collins death was “proudly attached to his lapel as we bid him farewell today”.
Fr McManus appealed to those who mourn Mr Moffitt “not let the manner of his death be the lasting memory of Aidan. Aidan the character lived his Iife to the full always putting his family and friends before his own needs”.
He said that while successful in many fields Aidan “he was first and foremost a son brother, uncle and friend”.
Paying tribute to Mr Moffitt’s “exemplary” care for his mother, checking in with her often on the phone to make sure she was alright.
He said Mr Moffitt was also a man of faith who visited Knock Shrine with Kathleen every Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.
The symbols of a full life presented by members of Mr Moffitt’s family at Monday’s Mass highlighted his many interests.
They included the Roscommon colours symbolising his “love for Co Roscommon, an auctioneer’s mallet, a brief case underlining his “passion for his work”, and jockey’s silks, signifying his love of horse racing . Also presented at the altar was a statue of Our Lady representing Aidan’s “very strong faith” and a family crest which mourners were told was to reflect “Aidan’s deep love of his family”.
In a message of condolence to Mr Moffitt’ heartbroken family, which was read during the Mass, Bishop Kevin Doran, told them he understood what a particularly painful week it had been for them, losing Aidan so suddenly and in such a pubic way.” The death of someone you love is never easy”, he said.
The Bishop of Elphin told the family; Aidan’s mother Kathleen, sister Sharon and brothers Christy and Gerard that he was grateful for the kindness with which they had welcomed him when he called to their home in recent days . “I know, from listening to what you told me, that each one of you has his or her own treasured memory of Aidan, as a son, a brother or an uncle,” said Bishop Doran.
“I hope that you will always remember him as you knew him and loved him. You have told me that you have great neighbours and friends, and I am sure that many of them are with you today at the Church of Christ the King.
“I trust that, in the months ahead, you will experience, through their occasional visits or phone calls, the healing presence of God’s spirit at work in your lives.”
The Bishop said that while he could not be with them at the funeral, “l want you to know that I am united with you in prayer”.
Extending condolences to the Lisacul native’s many friends, the Bishop said: “I can understand that Aidan’s death has touched each of you very personally. You can equally be sure that your friendship was important to him”.
Noting the Fine Gael activist’s interest in politics, Bishop Doran said he understood that he had picked this up from his late father Tom at a young age.
“Not everybody is willing to make those sacrifices. We can be thankful for the gifts that Aidan shared in this and in so many other ways.”