The late Michael McDonnell

Born in Manchester on St. Stephen’s Day 1941 to Maureen (from Ballynacargy), and John MacDonnell (from Banagher), Michael was, because of the war, set back to live with his Grannie Gillen, his cousin Joe Reilly, and his auntie Peg and uncle Pierce. When he was ten, he returned to Manchester - but his love for Ireland and all things Irish was testament to the good memories he had of his early boyhood years here.As a result, he loved to come home and visit his cousins around Ballynacargy and Lismacaffrey - the Prices, Gormans and Kearys, and the Kennedys in Banagher.Nothing pleased him more than a stroll in the early morning on the banks of the canal in Ballynacargy, or a pint with his cousins, Tom and Mick in Murtagh’s or Halligans in Ballynacargy where memories of the olden days would be recounteded with precise accuracy.Michael treasured those memories, and he treasured the friendships he made with the people with whom he came into contact.However he had another life also, in Guilford, with his wife Sue, and daughters Elaine, Susan, Helen, Jessica and Jane, and his grandchildren, for whom his loss is immense.He was predeceased by two brothers, Christy and Kevin, but is survived by his other brothers, Tony, Terry and Sean; by his sisters Mary and Sheila; by his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins, who all have been greatly saddened by his passing.Michael was interred at Guilford St. Edward’s Cemetery, beneath a beautiful blue sky with the bird singing him home, over the surrounding green fields - a suitable tribute to one of life’s true gentlemen.Ar dheis Dé go raib a anam dilís.