The popular young secondary school student has been remembered for his ‘quick wit, roguish sense of humour, and cheeky smile which brought so much joy to everyone who knew him’
Tom Lynch Spillane
A secondary school in Co Cork has paid a heartbreaking tribute to a ‘one of a kind’ student who sadly passed away earlier this week.
Tom Lynch Spillane, from Bantry, passed away on Monday, leaving his friends and family heartbroken.
A death notice shared by the young man’s family on RIP.ie states: “Unexpectedly, our darling precious Tom passed away on Monday 16th of March, predeceased by his grandfather Eoin Spillane.
“He is sorely missed by his heartbroken parents Ann-Marie Lynch & Eoghan Spillane, his sister Ella, his devastated grandparents Nuala Spillane, William and Mary Lynch, his aunts Katrina (Tessyman), Aisling (Herlihy), Mairead (Buckley), Caitriona (O’Shea), his uncles, Aidan (Spillane), Michael, Kieran and Liam (Lynch), aunts-in-law, uncles-in-law, his adored cousins and much loved friends in Bantry and Mourneabbey.”
Tom was a student at Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraà (Bantry Community College) in West Cork, where he made a huge impression on his teachers and fellow students.
The school has paid an emotional tribute to the popular young man, who they say was “full of life, full of fun, and always up to a bit of devilment and craic.”
“Our hearts are broken,” the school said in a statement.
“We are devastated to have lost our student, Tom Lynch Spillane. A young man full of life, full of fun, and always up to a bit of devilment and craic. He kept us on our toes as much as any young Bantry Boy, but he was a loveable rogue with a big personality, and the school won’t be the same without him.
“Tom brought laughter, energy, and stories to his friends and teachers that will always stay with us. He was one of a kind, and we are all the better for having known him.
“Our thoughts are with his heartbroken parents, Ann-Marie and Eoghan, his sister Ella, and all of his family who are facing an unimaginable loss. We are especially thinking of his grandparents Nuala, William and Mary, and remembering his late grandfather Eoin. Every staff member of Colà iste Pobail knew how much he loved his Grandfather William, with whom Tom shared a beautiful and special bond.
“We also hold in our thoughts his aunts, uncles, cousins, and his wide circle of friends in Bantry and Mourneabbey, places and people that meant so much to him.
“As a school and as a community, we will stand together and support one another in the days and weeks ahead.
“Sleep easy, Tom.”
Tom was a gifted athlete who played a number of different sports for his local clubs, with Bantry Bay RFC saying that the “impact he made will stay with us always” as they paid tribute to the young man.
Bantry Bay RFC paid an emotional tribute to Tom(Image: Bantry Bay RFC / Facebook)
“With permission from Tom’s family, it is with great sadness that we, as a club and community, share the passing of Tom Lynch Spillane,” the Cork-based rugby club said.
“Tom’s quick wit, roguish sense of humour, and cheeky smile brought so much joy to everyone who knew him. His jokes and stories brought endless laughter and will never be forgotten.
“Our thoughts are with his mother Ann Marie, father Eoghan, sister Ella, grandparents William, Mary and Nuala, and his late grandfather Eoin. We also extend our deepest sympathies to his uncles, aunts, cousins and many friends.
“As a club, we will support one another in the weeks ahead, and our doors are always open to anyone who needs support. In the days and weeks ahead, may we find strength in each other and in the many happy memories Tom gave us.
“Though his time with us was far too short, the impact he made will stay with us always.
“Tom, you may be gone from our sight, but you will never be gone from our hearts.
“Rest easy. It was a privilege to share the field with you.”
Bantry Basketball Club also shared their own tribute to the secondary school student. They said: “All at Bantry Basketball Club are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tom. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and cousins, especially those within our club community.
“We are thinking of you all during this difficult time and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. May Tom rest in peace, and may the love and support around you bring you strength and comfort in the days ahead.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Tom’s funeral will be held at St Finbarr’s Church in Bantry at 2.30pm this afternoon (Saturday, March 21) followed by burial in the Abbey Cemetery, Bantry.
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