Tributes paid to popular young man who had a love for ‘cutting hair, fizzy sweets and a pint of Guinness'
The popular young man, who was a much loved former student at Enniscorthy Community College and a talented barber, sadly passed away on Friday, May 16.
St Aidan's Cathedral was awash with the colour red as the loved ones of Mark Fortune donned jerseys emblazoned with his name on the back, at his funeral service this week.
The popular young man, who was a much loved former student at Enniscorthy Community College and a talented barber, sadly passed away on Friday, May 16.
The service began with family members and friends bringing a number of his possessions to the altar which represented his life. Amongst the items were FIFA and darts equipment as he was a big fan of sports, his beloved guitar to make music, his car keys, and a family photo.
On behalf of the family, the priest spoke about Mark's life and the vast impact he had on those around him.
"Mark was a very caring person. He helped everyone, more than himself and put everyone before himself. He was big into his fitness and loved going to the gym and had a love for the ice bath saunas. He had a love for cutting hair, his fizzy sweets, and loved a pint of Guinness with a packet of nuts in Donohoes.'
"He would rock into Donohoes bar with his bike where he would have a big chain on it that would hold a boat down in the dock,' he said to resounding laughs from his loved ones in the pews. 'He would go in for his two pints, but if he met his brother Glenn that maybe turned into seven or eight pints.'
He detailed how Mark was respected as a great musician who loved nothing more than to play his guitar and write a few songs, when he wasn't playing his beloved games of darts.
"He also loved to play darts at his sister Lisa's house and they nearly had to put him on the rent book as he was there so much.'
He also painted a vivid picture of the 'FIFA King's' effervescent personality that brought joy where ever he went.
Despite always having something to give out about when his sister Ashling cooked dinner for him, leading to many arguments, he had great love for all his family members and his great friend Glenn Buckley who was always by his side.
A complete character, he had his own memorable phrases to all who knew him, including his habit of saying 'beautiful, son' whenever something good happened.
Ajax Athletic Football Club wrote a tribute to Mark on their social media page, thanking him for bringing energy and music to their long rides to matches.
"Mark will never be forgotten for his guitar playing on the bus with our run of seven away games to the semi-finals of the Leinster Junior Shield, where he brought great times and memories to us all.'
Fellow mourners took to RIP.ie to leave messages about his kindness and unwavering sense of humour.
One mourner wrote: 'I have very fond memories of Mark in EVC. Such a kind, gentle young man with a warm smile for everyone. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.'
Another read: 'What a lovely friendly chap we are all going to miss you coming in for your kinder Bueno Sundae and having the laugh with you. May you get the best bed up there.'
A further tribute read: 'Rest in peace friend, my heart is absolutely broken, you were one in a million. I'll never forget everything you did for me.'
Beloved son of Anne and James, much loved brother of Paul, Glenn, Lisa, Nigel, and Ashling, and cherished grandson of Margaret and the late James (Cowman), Annie and James (Fortune), Mark is also deeply mourned and sadly missed by his aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
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