Mourners were told that Conor Coleman’s “legacy will live on” in those he saved.
Those who attended the mass heard that the heart of Conor “is now beating in Dublin”.
The 19-year-old died after he was struck by a car at Little Island in east Cork late on Friday evening. He was rushed to hospital but died on Saturday, despite desperate efforts by staff at Cork University Hospital (CUH) to stabilise his condition.
His older brother John, told his funeral mass that it was fitting that his generous brother had made an “eternal impact” through the gift of organ donation.
“As a family we decided to donate his organs. His heart, lungs, liver, kidney and pancreas all received five perfect matches. Meaning as his final act on earth he was able to save five lives and leave a legacy to the end of time.”
Conor Coleman
News in 90 Seconds – Wednesday, April 22
He said that his little brother would have been “blown away” by the large numbers who gathered at the church. He thanked all those who had called to their family home in recent days for their support.
Conor was described as having an “iconic wheezing laugh” that sometimes descended in to him “dropping on the floor and rolling around” when the hilarity became too much for him.
John said that it felt “criminal” that the world got to experience the “joy, generosity, adventure, sometimes wildly inappropriate comments and questionable fashion sense” of Conor for only 19 years.
He said that he and his younger brother were the human equivalent of “Tom and Jerry”.
“He was my partner in crime. There wasn’t a day we were together since the day he was born that we weren’t causing some sort of mischief. So much so that our grandfather, Sean, called us ‘the weapons of mass destruction’.
“Whether that would be chasing each other around when our mum would be trying to do the shopping, or when we got our hands on red paint and I covered him in it from head to toe not realising it wouldn’t come off without a serious amount of washing.”
“Or in more recent years, when our parents would be watching TV downstairs, we would sneak up to the attic window and chain smoke a packet of Benson & Hedges…sorry mum and dad.”
Although Conor was a “modern day giant”, John insisted that ultimately his character and personality dwarfed his physical stature.
Mourners at the Church of Our Lady and St John, in Carrigaline, were told that a stadium would be required to get all of his friends in to one photograph.
His coffin was adorned in colourful handwritten tributes and messages from his friends and loved ones.
John said that Conor had an encyclopaedic knowledge of engines and tractors from an early age. He also had a gift for friendship and forged “deep bonds” with others.
He said that life was “precious and delicate” and could be taken away quickly, and he ended by urging mourners to tell their loved ones they care.
“Please take this as a message from Conor. No matter who they are. It could be your mother, brother, father or sister, dog, cat, friends or family. It could be anyone. If you love them tell them you love them.”
Offertory symbols at the mass included, Conor’s Size 12 work boots, a high-vis vest and jeans to represent his love of the family business, a photograph of his friends, his school ties from Shanbally and Christian Brothers College, a miniature truck, representing his recent attainment of his HDV licence, a badge of his prized possession, a Toyota Corolla E11 6R, a CD and a stone Conor found as a child, which was in the shape of a heart.
Chief celebrant Fr Sean O’Sullivan said that the death of Conor felt like a “bad dream.”
He said it was important to honour Conor and to support his parents and family following their “shattering loss”.
Fr O’Sullivan added that Conor was “deeply loved”.
“Anyone who knew Conor could see how much he was loved. Most importantly of all Conor knew it. There is no greater gift in life then to know that and to experience it.”
Mr Coleman is survived by his parents, Barry and Trish, his brother John, his grandmother Betty, his aunts and uncles, extended family and friends.
Gardaí have appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to assist their inquiries.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 4558510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.”