Great sadness at recent passing of Roy Burke, Knather, Ballyshannon

Huge sadness was evoked in Ballyshannon and surrounding areas following the sudden recent death of Roy Burke, late of the Knather, Ballyshannon.

In his homily at St Patrick’s Church, Ballyshannon, Fr Vincent Finnegan OFM reflected on what his family recalled of the deceased and which had brought a smile to their faces.

He said that his children Shannon and Ryan were very much in all their prayers.

Reflecting on the Roy’s passing, he said:

“None of us know the day nor the hour when we will be called to our eternal reward

I am sure that it’s so difficult being here today to say a final farewell to their Dad.

“For in truth there should have been many more years left for him to lead.”

He recalled that Roy was an outdoors person and was happiest in the wild, fishing and hunting were his passions.

He could read the landscape and the Breesy landmarks, which he could ascend in his younger days in a flash. His dogs were also a great love of his.

He spoke fondly of the deceased's parents, Jimmy and Maggie, the former a real role model for Roy in his formative years and his untimely passing in 1989 was a “crushing blow for the 14-year-old Roy.”

“Roy had the great ability of brightening up a room, his very presence was magnetic, his good humour and quick wit made him a popular figure. He was a ‘loveable rogue’.”

Although the deceased had left school early, he could turn his hand to just about anything, was a real grafter and loved nothing more than “a project”.

He gave the example of how during Covid, Roy had totally disassembled a Massey Ferguson tractor, piece by piece, sandblasted it and managed to get it back together again.

Deceased was also a qualified tree surgeon and again was skilled at everything that he turned his hands to.

Roy will be sadly missed by his children Shannon, Ryan and their mother Helen, his beloved partner Catherine and his brother Mark and sister Denise and all his extended family and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is extended.

Following the Funeral Mass on Wednesday morning last (May 24, 2023) to St. Patrick’s Church, Ballyshannon for 11am Funeral Mass, burial followed afterwards in The Abbey Cemetery.