Tycoon Ben Dunne's son laid to rest after shock death in New York

Irish Daily Mirror

a day ago

Dunnes Stores tycoon Ben Dunne's son Robert was laid to rest after his shock death in New York with mourners told that his dad's passing 'hit him hard'.
Rob Dunne was 50 when he died on August 1 and was today buried at Castleknock Churchyard after Mass at St Mochta's Church in Clonsilla, Co Dublin. Before the emotional service, his family, who buried dad Ben just two years ago, stated that Rob died 'peacefully'.
His mother Mary was comforted by Rob's brothers Mark and Nicholas and sister Caroline.
Mark told mourners: 'In more recent years, life became more difficult for Rob. The Covid pandemic with its long months of isolation and restrictions seemed to dim the spark that had always been such a natural part of Rob. Robert Dunne
'His world, once so full of people and music and laughter, became quieter. The passing of our dad, to whom he was so close, hit him deeply
'Many people loved Rob deeply and would've been there for him in a heartbeat, but he sometimes found himself pulling away.
'It's a reminder to all of us that even the brightest lights can be dimmed and how important it is to keep reaching out to those who we care about.'
He added: 'When I think about Rob, so many words come to mind: raconteur, sharp, complex, quick-witted, funny, playful, loving and caring
'Rob had a way of making life bigger and better and more memorable. While today, we feel his absence deeply, I know that there's an image of Rob smiling for each of us.
'He will be missed by so many. He was so deeply loved as a brother, a son, an uncle, a nephew, a cousin, and a dear friend.
'He has left us far too soon and the ache of that will stay with us. Rest in peace Rob. The good in you will always be with us.'
Robert was the second son of business titan Ben, the former head of Dunnes Stores and Ben Dunne Gyms.
He was a lawyer in New York for over two decades and was lauded there by the Brehon Law Society where he was formerly its president.
Robert's grandfather Ben Dunne Senior founded Dunnes in Cork in 1944 and his father Ben Dunne Junior took it over before he died, aged 74, in November 2023 from a heart attack while on holiday in Dubai.
Rob's brother Mark delivered in his eulogy memories of his 'prankster' nature., recalling his 'spirit, his mischief, his humour and that sparkle in his eye'.
Mark said: 'Rob loved to share a good book. He'd tell you all about some brilliant novel he just read; a real page turner.
'He'd say he couldn't put it down, and because he was generous like that he'd buy copies for his friends and people he knew would really enjoy the book.
'The catch was, if you were lucky enough to get one of these books from Rob, you were also unlucky enough to discover, right at the most dramatic moment, that he had ripped out the last page, and in its place, the big bold letters, 'ha ha'.
'It was maddening, of course, but that was Rob. He looked to make people laugh, often in the most unexpected ways. I can still hear his laugh and still see the way he found joy in connecting with people.'
He added another memory, recalling how Rob was on holiday in America at a beach bar and asked the band if he could propose to a woman who he had just met.
Mark said: 'Rob walked onto the stage with the girl, got down on one knee, pulled out a piece of paper.
'The audience imagined they were about to hear a heartfelt poem or a declaration of love. But, instead, Rob began reading the proclamation of Irish Independence.'
A Month's Mind Mass is set for September 4 at the Upper Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in New York.
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