‘He truly lived every moment' – Michael Gaine remembered as ‘caring' and ‘proud Kerry man' at his funeral mass

Irish Independent

12 hours ago

In a moving eulogy by his cousin, Eoghan Clarke, at his Funeral Mass today, Mr Gaine was remembered as man who had varied interests with a wide-circle of friends and who always was on hand to help others.
"Mike meant so much to so many people.'
Mr Clarke recalled Mike's passion for rallying, farming, current affairs, holidays, Done Deal and all music, even Opera.
'As we all know, Michael was generous. He was incredibly generous. He had time for everyone and would chip in to help any time, any place to help anyone,' he said.
'Michael seemed to find the time to do the work of three men on his own farm, help out friends, family and neighbours, keep up to speed on current affairs and enjoy himself.
'He always made the most of it and he truly lived every single moment. Whether you met him during lambing or while on a trip away to a car show or rally event, he always had that iconic twinkle in his eye – the 'I'm delighted to see you', 'I'm in great form', 'let's go and enjoy ourselves' twinkle in his eye that he was well-known for'
The congregation was told how Mike always had an interest in people and made people feel at ease.
"Janice [his wife] described Michael as someone that zoned on someone's personality when he spoke to them and that he would zone in on their own interests. That genuine interest that he had in others allowed him to have friends of all ages and backgrounds.'
Mr Clarke said what always amazed him about Mike was his 'ability to put in a full day's shift on the farm and then to chat about politics and world events or economic developments while being fully up to speed on all of them.'
The congregation was told that he would be up at 4am to hoover up news from various sources.
The love story of Janice and Mike was also shared at his Funeral Mass and the wonderful relationship the pair had. They met in Riversdale one New Year's Eve.
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Janice had come from Jakarta to visit her parents in Kerry and Mr Gaine 'looking dapper' plucked up the courage to speak to her. He told her he was heading to Australia soon and invited her for dinner.
In the intervening years Michael 'kept telecom Eireann in business feeding coins into a phone box in Kenmare just to speak to Janice in Indonesia and Taiwan.'
"Michael and Janice truly had a beautiful relationship. It struck me how loving Michael was with Janice and they spent quality time together. They enjoyed one another's company from simple trips to cinema, trying new restaurants, walks in the national park and holidays abroad,' he said
'Soft and loving, Caring and affectionate. Kind and considerate. He was not afraid to show his emotions. He was also brave, fearless and strong,' he said summing up the kind of man Mike was to his wife Janice and sister Catherine and Noreen and to all those in his life.
His cousin asked to live life as Mike would have by enjoying life with fun-loving glint, spending time with loved ones and helping others
Fr George Hayes in his homily to the packed church said that Kenmare was a place of enchanting beauty where the community live an peaceful and idyllic existence but into this 'something terrible has come' to the area.
"We are discommoded and feel at loss. Over these weeks since Mike went missing we have asked to many questions and in life sometimes there are no answers,' he said.
He said Mike funeral was about recovering Mike's dignity and not the manner of his death.
"Here in this place today, we recover Mike's dignity. We will speak Mike's name with love.'
Fr Hayes urged the congregation not to give into hatred.
"Today our challenge as believers of Jesus Christ is not to give into the toxic. Lets not give into to hatred and bitterness...lets go from here today and in Michael's name let's resolve to do good. Let's strive for justice and fairness.'
Several poignant mementos of Mike's life were brought to the alter including several photos including one of Mike on his his faithful cavalier dog Teddy. This was presented by friend DJ O'Neil. Teddy was a huge part of Janice and Mike's life. Mike loved all animals but his pet dog was a central part of his life.
Vince O'Shea brought up a photo of Mike and Janice on holidays They travelled the world together visiting places like Fiji and Cook islands and New Zealand and Australia
Edwards Gibbons brought up of Mike and Janice's wedding and nephew Jamie O'Regan presented a photo of Mike's family including parents Jimmy and Sheila and his sisters Noreen and Catherine.
Donie McCarthy presented a CD Mike's love of music his varied tastes included American Folk Group Mamas and Papas and Fleetwood Mac and what he loved most was the Aida Opera by Verdi
David Doran brought up an image of St Michael the Archangel who is said to spiritual warrior in the the battle of good versus evil and there wasn't an evil bone in his body
His brother-in-law Sean O'Regan brought a photo of Mike and his rally car and Shane McCarthy brought Mike's rally helmet to the alter.
And after the poignant Funeral Mass Mike's ashes were placed in that very car for a final lap around his home town.