THE SNOW fell as the coffin bearing the remains of Cork Airport crash victim Pat Cullinan was lowered into the grave in the cemetery adjoining St Patrick’s Church in Cranagh, Glenelly, Co Tyrone, yesterday following Requiem Mass.
Mr Cullinan (45), one of the six people killed in last Thursday’s tragedy, was buried in the same grave as his father James, who died in 2000, aged 84. One of 81 partners in the international firm of accountants KPMG, Mr Cullinan is survived by his mother Rose and by his siblings Seamus, Kieran, Mary-Rose and Aidan.
Many of Mr Cullinan’s work colleagues attended the funeral, among them Jean-Paul Thill, the European chief executive officer of KPMG, whose offices remained closed yesterday. President Mary McAleese was represented at the Requiem Mass by her aide-de-camp Capt Martin Larkin.
In his homily for what was described on the liturgical pamphlet as the Mass in celebration of the life of Pat Cullinan, parish priest Fr Joseph O’Conor said last Thursday’s tragedy had left many people in many countries bereft.
“May I mention Brendan McAleese, cousin of Martin, President McAleese’s husband. He leaves Anne-Marie his dear wife and their two small children. Michael Evans, the outstanding deputy harbour master, and Richard Noble, whose wife Andrea and teenage daughter Charlotte grieve his loss. The Spanish pilot Jordi Lopez and the co-pilot Andrew Cantle complete the list of victims,” he said.
Fr O’Conor said although Pat Cullinan had lived in Belfast for many years, the Sperrins were his real home.
“He always kept in contact with home. There lay his roots. Rose, his mother, told me he phoned every day to see how she was and sent presents to her constantly. When at home Pat took great delight in playing football with his little nephews and nieces. It was constant fun,” he said. “Pat was ever kind and helpful. If someone needed help Pat would think little of going to their assistance.
“Distance meant nothing. He was charitable too. Tyrone GAA found in him a donor par excellence. I sympathise too with Eamon and all Pat’s colleagues in Belfast who are shattered at this time. The people of this parish this day grieve the loss of their brother Pat, an extraordinary, kind charitable gentleman,” he added.