Death of Noel Morris

O Wednesday of this week the mortal remains of Noel Morris ob. 21/4/2012 were interred in the family plot in Dunderry graveyard after the funeral Mass in Robinstown.A native of Bective, Noel lived in Dunderry for many years with his partner Lorraine Mc Guinness and children Graham,Kirsty and Hayleigh.He was a mechanic par excellence ,especially for diesel vehicles,lorries being his speciality and could walk into any job in Ireland which involved repair of these vehicles.
It is not that long since his father died and was buried in the same grave and Noel's death at such a young age so soon after his father's brings into sharp focus the fragility and shocking uncertainty that life holds for all God's peoples.
If ever a man worked hard he did.He was a good provider for his family as long as he was able to work.And ironically it was probably this dedication to his trade that done him in.I met him last at his father's funeral and he did not look well at all.He told me he was taking huge doses of steroids to enable him breathe as he suffered from COPD ,I think it is called.Basically his lungs were shot as a result of exposure to asbestos dust from the brake linings of the thousands of lorries which he passes through his hands over a busy but all too short lifetime.
He was aware that the future was not too bright then but neither he nor me thought at the time that it would be so short.He was fairly accepting of his fate at that stage but there is no convenient time to die.
That he endeared himself to he people of Dunderry is indisputable as his grave was dug in ancient Dunderry tradition by local people including Tommy Farley,Banana Reilly,Terry Mc Donagh,the Lord Mayor and Jimmy Smith and Johnny Coogan in the most torrential rain and biting wind seen this many a day.
This weather persisted until his internment but did not diminish the huge crowd that turned up in the graveyard to pay their final respects and bid him adieu.
His brothers,sister ,in laws ,ex partner and children were there in strength despite the inclement elements ,which were so bad that the gravediggers had to hold on to the awning which was supplied to keep the priest and main mourners dry ,to stop it blowing away.
I know that his daughter Kirsty was very attached to him and we missed her from the Camogie these.last few months ,due to the care and attention she so lavished on him.
Noel was a member of a long established GAA family ,his father having been a founder member of Bective GAA Club and all his family including his wide circle of in laws and his children have and continue to grace the Association.
Graham was a good footballer and hurler for Dunderry .Kirsty and Hayleigh play Camogie.I  trained and mentored them for many years and found them well mannered,brave and skillful as you would expect  as their mother was no slouch herself on the field of play ,having only recently retired from the Camogie team ,of which she was captain for one year.His nephew  Danny Morris is one of our most promising juvenile hurlers along with being a boxer of note.
Fate plays cruel tricks on people as the Doyle connection to the family was very recently struck by the tragic and most premature death of a young man on the cusp of manhood.
To Noel and all those close to him we send our condolences and sympathy.
Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis.