The funeral of a secondary school teacher who tragically died after being struck by a vehicle while walking on the M7 in Co Kildare has heard “there aren't enough colours of the rainbow to paint a complete picture of him.”
Brendan Fitzpatrick, 24, of Powerwood, Thomastown in Kilkenny, who was described as a “role model and kind, caring, conscientious young man” died after he was struck by “one or more” vehicles on the M7 in Naas in the early hours of the morning.
It’s understood Brendan, who was a Graphics and Engineering teacher at St Kevin’s Community College in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow, had been walking to his home in Naas when the tragedy occurred in the early hours of last Saturday morning.
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Brendan’s funeral Mass took place in the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown on Thursday morning where the chief mourners included his heartbroken parents Eamonn and Fiona, sister Eimear and grandmother Kathleen, extended family members, friends, work colleagues and students from his class.
Parish Priest Fr Dan Bollard said the tragic death of Brendan is “every parent's worst nightmare.”
“Every weekend, every Sunday morning when you turn on the radio there is probably another tragedy each week,” Fr Bollard told mourners.
“It’s a weekly thing, sadly and it’s a tragedy to visit another family every weekend. And it's only when it comes close to home that we are affected. But nevertheless it is a parent's worst nightmare.”
Mourners heard how Brendan “was a great worker who understood that there was value in education.”
Sean Og O’Sullivan, Principal of Grennan College in Thomastown where Brendan attended secondary school and teacher work placement, told mourners: “There are not enough colours in the rainbow to paint a complete picture of Brendan.”
He said “But it is agreed, Brendan was a role model for us all. A kind, caring, conscientious young man who loved and was deeply loved by his family, friends, colleagues and students.
“He was hugely sincere, honest and innately kind. He always looked to better himself and always wanted to put the best impression of himself forward.”
He said Brendan was hugely involved in Thomastown Paddlers Canoe Club and took part in many competitions including the Liffey Descent amongst others.
“He was one of six students selected from the school in Transition Year to attend with the dioceses to Lourdes on their annual pilgrimage.”
He said Brendan studied Engineering and Graphics at University of Limerick where he achieved “the highest outcome a 1:1 honours degree and completed his teaching placement at Grennan College adding to the pride we already had in him.”
Mr O’Sullivan read a message from Brian Doran, principal of St Kevin’s Community College in Dunlavin where Brendan taught Engineering and Graphics.
Mr Doran recalled that there was “something about Brendan that stood out.”
“It was a sort of earnestness or honesty and strong enthusiasm for his subjects.”
“Brendan took to St Kevin’s like a duck to water as part of the team in the technology department. He was energetic, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and committed to his work. He was so keen to learn, so keen to improve and so dedicated to our students.”
“Our students thought very highly of Mr Fitzpatrick, his knowledge, patience, kindness and carrying - everything you could ask for in a teacher,” Mr Doran’s message said.
Offertory gifts brought to the altar included Brendan’s Sixth Year Engineering award as a symbol of his talent and the love he had for his subject; his Grennan College jersey, a reminder of the good times he had at Grennan College both as a student and a teacher; his X-Box controller as a symbol of Brendan’s passion for video games; a canoeing paddle showing Brendan as a talented and determined paddler; his Lourdes top from his pilgrimage to Lourdes symbolising Brendan’s good nature and willingness to help others and two Lego figures as a symbol of Brendan’s rediscovered childhood and a young person taken too soon.
Brendan’s grieving dad Eamonn paid tribute to and thanked all who helped and supported the family since Brendan’s tragic death; Brendan’s teaching colleagues and students, those who took part in the Guard of Honour as well as everyone who sympathised with them over the last few days.
Following his funeral Mass, Brendan’s burial took place afterwards in St Mary’s New Cemetery, Thomastown.
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