Tributes flow for the late Shane Gillespie - one of life's gentlemen

Tributes have been paid to the late Shane Gillespie, who passed away on Saturday evening.

Shane, of Keenaghan, Kilmacrennan, and formally of Brookfield, Donegal Town, was a teacher at PCC Falcarragh. A loving husband and devoted father of two, he was a keen sportsman - particularly in rugby and Gaelic football- and has been described as a “gentleman,” "a role model" and “an outstanding person”.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Donna, daughters Katie and Amy, parents Sean and Rosemarie, sister Gemma (Dave), brother Patrick (Sharon), Ronan (Aileen), mother-law Mary Sweeney, father-in-law James Sweeney, brothers-in-law Mark (Jill) and Owen, nieces and nephews Molly, Peadar, Sadie, Doireann and Oscar, friends, teammates, work colleagues and good neighbours.

“It’s with a heavy heart that the club would like to acknowledge the sudden passing of Shane Gillespie,” Donegal Town Rugby Club posted. “Shane was a player, friend and role model who embodied everything good about our club. On the pitch, Shane inspired and raised the levels of every player who graced the field with him. His work ethic, ability and leadership made him one of the greatest players the club has ever produced.

“Off the pitch, he was a gentleman who lit up every room he entered with his wit and love for life. Words cannot do justice to the loss the club and all its members feel at this time. We would like to extend our sincerest condolences to his loving family, wife Donna, daughters Katie and Amy. His parents, Sean and Rose Gillespie, brothers Ronan and Patrick, and sister Gemma, as well as the wider Gillespie and Sweeney families. Shane will never be forgotten at ’The Holmes’ of Donegal, may he rest in peace.”

These feelings were echoed by Four Masters GAA Club. On Sunday they posted: “The club was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Shane Gillespie yesterday evening. Shane was an outstanding person of the highest character and was well-respected by all in the community.

“He always displayed great sportsmanship and competitive drive on the sporting field. Shane played for the club at all levels in football and hurling, winning county titles at numerous age groups in both codes at underage as well as winning a Senior Football Championship in 2003 with his brother Patrick.

“Shane also played for Donegal underage teams and at Vocational School level, captaining the County Minors in 2003. The club send our sincere sympathies and prayers to his wife Donna, his girls Katie and Amy, the Gillespie and Sweeney families, and his wide group of friends at this very difficult time."

"We are filled with deep sadness and regret for the loss of our beloved friend, colleague and teacher, Shane Gillespie, who passed away suddenly on Saturday evening," PCC Falcarragh posted.

"Our school community is heartbroken. Shane was a teacher of DCG and Construction Studies in PCC since 2007. His passion, enthusiasm and love of teaching was reflected every day in his classroom by his thorough preparation and work ethic and instilled this in all his students. Shane's classroom was one of continuous learning, and students enjoyed reaching the individual goals and standards set for them by Shane.

"His students flourished in an environment where all skills were valued and enhanced by his clear and concise direction. We are very proud to acknowledge the great contribution to education he made throughout his years in PCC. His students both present and past have attested to this. He took pride in all of his work, and he was respected as a truly inspirational teacher among our students, parents and staff.

"Sport was a huge part of Shane Gillespie's life, especially Soccer, Rugby and Gaelic. He will be fondly remembered as a patient trainer and dedicated team mate. He valued the importance of sport in the lives of all age groups. We in PCC are all the better for having known Shane as a friend, colleague and teacher in our school.

"We will forever remember him for his kindness, his witty sense of humour, his energy and positive attitude to life and work. Shane, a man of integrity, a true gentleman, will be sorely missed in our school community.

"May his gentle soul rest in peace, and we ask that God will bless and give strength to his beloved wife Donna, his two precious little girls, Katie and Amy and all his family at this sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal."

In more recent times, Shane was an underage coach at Kilmacrennan Celtic and Termon GAA club.

“As a club, we are saddened to learn of the untimely passing of our underage coach Shane Gillespie,” Kilmacrennan Celtic posted. “We wish to extend our sympathies to Shane’s wife Donna, their children and the extended Gillespie family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.”

Termon GAA club added: “CLG An Tearmainn express our sincere condolences to the wife, children and extended family of the late Shane Gillespie, who was part of our underage girls teams. May he rest in peace.”

Letterbarrow Celtic FC said: “All of us at Letterbarrow would like to extend our thoughts and sympathies to the Gillespie family at this tough time. Shane was a highly regarded member of the community and well-known within Four Masters GAA and Donegal Town Rugby Club. A gentleman both on and off the pitch. May he rest in peace.”

Shane is predeceased by his grandparents Ned and Nora Brogan, Patsy and Kathleen Gillespie and his uncle Francie Brogan. Shane’s remains will be reposing at his late residence from 7pm, Monday, November 11. Funeral from there on Wednesday, November 13, at 10.30am going to St Agatha’s Church, Clar, Donegal Town, for 12 noon requiem mass, followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery. Funeral mass can be viewed here from St Agatha's Church Clar.

The house is strictly private to family and close friends only, please. Family flowers only please donations in lieu of flowers to Kilmacrennan, Termon, Gartan, Churchill and Trentagh Community First Responders Group.