Eamon Dunne, a family man first and foremost

Obituary

Eamon Dunne was a special person. He was a family man above all else, and he insisted that his children speak at his funeral, keen to the end to make sure everyone was involved.

While family was his number one priority, and his wife Fee, and their children, Harry, Katie, Jessica and Rebecca, were at the top, Eamon lived life to the full in every area. He never did things by halves.

Eamon was one of 12, and living with that in his earliest day taught him lessons he would carry to the end, the most important being to provide care and support to those who needed it.

Eamon and Fee were married in 1985. He often said Fee had won the lotto when she met him, but he knew well that meeting and marrying her marked the start of the best adventure of his life. They lived in Dundrum and Longford before they returned to another of Eamon’s great loves – Mullingar.

They were well known in the town, and Tuesdays were their date nights, when they spent hours together in Canton Casey’s, Caffrey’s, Wallace’s, Con’s, John Daly’s... Their bond was special.

There could never be doubt either of the love Eamon had for his children. He was proud to call his son Harry Dunne, and he drove through the town with the sunroof open to announce the news when his twins were born.

Eamon always said his four children were his greatest achievements, and was delighted and proud to see his daughters follow in his father’s footsteps wearing the maroon and white jersey.

As well as being a family man, Eamon was a community man. He spent many’s the Sunday at the rugby club, and therefore, his children also spent many Sundays there – not watching the rugby, but selling tickets, dishing the stew and counting the coins.

Rugby had always played a central role in Eamon’s life. He had retired from playing by the time his children arrived, but the rugby memories continued as he coached the Mullingar under 20s, and he had terms as club vice-president and president. His children are proud of how he represented Mullingar and the values of the rugby club on his journeys across Leinster in his role as club officer.

Eamon worked hard to make sure the family had everything they needed, and more. There were summer trips to Spain and Tunisia, during which Eamon would sit in the shade reading, having a beer and relaxing. If the trip was for two weeks, he would wait for new arrivals at the pool and stalk them to see if anyone had 20 Major he might ‘borrow’.

Among the stories from those trips that stand out are the time he did his best Baywatch impression, when commandeered a pedalo and raced out over the waves to rescue a young boy who had floated away on his lilo; and then there was the time he got locked out on the balcony and desperately needed the bathroom. The rest of the family were at the pool and looked up to see Eamon waving his arms and shouting. Their response was, ‘he must think we’re eejits, if he thinks we’re going to help him’.

That was Eamon though, always joking and messing – though that time, he finally made it to the bathroom, you’ll be glad to hear.

Among Eamon’s many fine qualities was his ability to make friends. He had so many great friends and always enjoyed the craic and banter. All of his friends were quickly welcomed into the family too, and they stuck with him through thick and thin.

Similar bonds were made in the next generation, and the many memories the brothers, sisters and cousins made in Pettiswood and Mullingar when they were young, and as they got older, remain strong.

If there was any good thing that came out of Eamon’s illness, it is that it brought his family closer together.

Eamon and the family have had a difficult few months. No one deserves the hand Eamon was dealt but he did them proud, and his continued courage, humour and divilment never ceased to amaze them. If there is anything we should all take from Eamon’s life, it is that you should spend life living.

Eamon died peacefully at his home in Auburn Village, Mullingar on Sunday October 23, after a short illness borne with great dignity and humour, with his devoted wife and family at his side. Eamon is survived by his wife and best friend Fee, his children Harry, Rebecca, Katie and Jessica, and grandchildren Chloe, Harper and Romy.

Eamon will be deeply missed and remembered by his wife and children, their partners Nyssa, Sam, Nathan and Alan, his brothers Harry, Johnny, Mark, Mark, Milo, Stephen, Morgan and Leonard, sisters Aideen (Ginnell), Kathryn (Cooney) and Liz (Tynan), mother-in-law Irene (Downes), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, uncle Sean (Casey), nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, relatives, and many wonderful friends.

Eamon was predeceased by his mother Marie, father Harry, step-father Milo (Cox) and his beloved Aunt Vera. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

Eamon’s Funeral Mass was at the Cathedral of Christ the King, and burial was in Clonard Cemetery.