Well-known Funeral Director Patsy McCauley laid to rest in Belleek cemetery

“Patsy McCauley walked with families in the community through many difficult and sensitive times.  He will be remembered  for the great empathy he showed so many families when their loved ones passed away.”

Those were the words of Fr Frank McManus, PP, Ederney, as he concelebrated the funeral mass of Patsy McCauley, on Friday last in St Patrick’s Church, Belleek.

Patsy’s final journey was one that he knew so well. As the local Funeral Director since 1979, he became one of the most loved and respected members of the local community, not just in west Fermanagh, but also in south Donegal.

The shock and sadness at his sudden death on Tuesday 16th, a day short of his 76th birthday, could be measured by the attendance at the funeral which would have filled St Patrick’s Church four or five times.

The funeral Mass was concelebrated by four of his many friends, Fr Frank McManus, PP, Ederney;  Very Rev Tiernach Beggan, Belleek, Very Rev Canon Ramon Munster Bundoran/Ballyshannon and Fr Dermot Burke, Ballyshannon.

Gifts brought to the altar included his funeral hat and his Bundoran Golf Club President’s blazer.

In a wide-ranging homily, Fr McManus spoke about the readings and the value of humility as well as the Beatitudes. “We gather in great sadness and we would rather we were not here. We would much rather that Patsy was still among us.

“In the midst of our sadness, we can give thanks for the values we have spoken about and how they manifested themselves in the life and person of Patsy McCauley. Whether that be as a husband, father, family man and professionally, especially as an undertaker.”

Patsy McCauley, born on 17 April 1948,  was the first born of three sons and was educated in Belleek Primary School and the Technical School in Ballyshannon.

Like many of his time he left school at the age of 15 and immediately started working in Eddie McCaffrey’s petrol pumps.

Shortly after this he got a job in Tommy Daly’s bar and it was here that he had the first taste of the profession that he became so well known for, as he helped Tommy in his role as the local funeral undertaker. And when Tommy moved to Galway in 1979, Patsy took over the role of local undertaker.

The same year he started a shop where he sold a variety of books, toys, groceries. As a businessman he had a good eye to spot an opportunity and was the first to have the National Lottery and his shop was famous for its ice cream.

In 2006 he sold the shop and continued as a Concierge in hotels Bundoran and more famously in Lough Erne Hotel and it was here he met famous people  at G8 Summit in 2013. He was given personal responsibility for showing Barack Obama around the resort on a buggy.

Obama clearly enjoyed Patsy’s company because he presented him with White House cufflinks afterwards, a gift that Patsy treasured.

Patsy’s contribution to the local community as a volunteer was immeasurable - as a respected businessman, a voluntary fireman, former chairman of chamber of commerce, organiser of the Old Fair Day 1987 as well as various development associations.

Indeed only a few weeks ago he was involved in the St Patrick's Day Parade.

“He met his wife Dolores  McNeill from Kesh in Dunkineely and was married on 23rd August, 1975. His son, Matthew’s graduation day, was a day of great pride for him. No matter how busy he was,  Patsy was always a family man,” said Fr McManus.

“Patsy was always a man of good cheer, friendly and humorous, enjoying the lighter side of life and he could give as good as he got when it came to banter.

“He was a great man to ceili, very often calling to families whose funerals he had done.”

Patsy’s great pastime was golf and he served as Captain and two stints as President of Bundoran Golf Club.

“He gave a lifetime of service to Marie Curie Cancer Services and used his role as Captain and President of Bundoran Golf Club  to raise funds for Marie Curie.”

Fr McManus’s homily continued: But it is as a funeral director that he will be best remembered. The death of a loved one is a very traumatic time and indeed Patsy was involved in many traumatic funerals, the death of young people, during the Troubles and more recently with Covid, a very, very sensitive time for families.

“Quoting from an article in the Impartial Reporter: ‘When you were in the hands of Patsy McCauley, you are indeed blessed’.

“He brought dignity, respect, compassion and also, I may add, wisdom and good judgement. Indeed, the priests here present and others all local priests, past and present, that he collaborated with, we will feel his loss today.

“His family will remember him as the eldest brother who showed his parents great kindness and care and helped his brothers after the death of his father at a young age,” said Fr McManus, who said that finding a weakness was not easy.

“He was a member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association and was very proud in the early 1970s when his picture appeared in the Pioneer Magazine. However, later he did manage a drink or two. He enjoyed the odd brandy or a glass of wine, but I’m sure the Lord will have no problem forgiving him that.

“Our thoughts and our prayers today are with Dolores, Matthew, Aideen, Liam and Brendan and the whole McCauley family circle,” concluded Fr McManus.

After the concelebrated Requiem Mass, Patsy was laid to rest in the adjoining graveyard.