The funeral of popular photographer Gary Foy has remembered a craftsman who was integral to many aspects of local sporting life.<\/p>\n
Mr Foy of Glencovitt, Ballybofey, died on Friday at the age of 58 following a recent illness.<\/p>\n
Gary\u2019s work was appreciated by sports organisations across the county and his funeral mass honoured both his skills as a photographer and his passion for promoting the people behind local events and tournaments.<\/p>\n
Fr Vincent Finnegan told mourners at St Mary\u2019s Church Stranorlar, that Gary was \u201cnot just a photographer, he was the eyes of our community,\u201d describing him as a true gentleman whose passing had left \u201ca deep void in the twin towns, the Finn Valley and the wider Donegal community\u201d.<\/p>\n
Gary\u2019s funeral mass was concelebrated by Fr Patsy Arkinson.<\/p>\n
Mourners heard how Gary embraced life fully, from his early involvement in soccer and Gaelic games to his lifelong support of local sport.<\/p>\n
Through his work, Fr Finnegan said, Gary captured \u201cnot just the moments that would be shared in newspapers, but also the simple, quiet joys of life that we often overlook\u201d.<\/p>\n
Gary frequently offered people complimentary discs of additional photographs so they could have their own memories to treasure.<\/p>\n
Fr Finnegan noted that Gary inherited his gift from his father John, and that \u201ceach click of Gary\u2019s camera was infused with \u201ca spirit that radiated positivity, warmth, and a desire to give back\u201d.<\/p>\n
Gary never turned down an opportunity to help, often arriving at events at short notice with \u201ca camera slung around his neck, ready to serve\u201d.<\/p>\n
Fr Vincent also spoke of Gary as a devoted family man and \u201ca craftsman of the highest order\u201d, who also built timber-framed houses and whose love of carpentry was evident throughout the family home.<\/p>\n
\u201cGary\u2019s life was a canvas painted with acts of generosity and love. Each photo he took, each moment he captured, was a reminder of the richness of life we sometimes overlook. He demonstrated that the sacred can be found in the ordinary,\u201d said Fr Finnegan.<\/p>\n
Gary\u2019s commitment to Ballybofey United, the Donegal Junior League and the shooting community has been recognised countless times in the days after his passing.<\/p>\n
He stood on the sidelines, Fr Vincent said, \u201cnot just as a spectator, but as a contributor, a supporter, and a friend\u201d.<\/p>\n
Gary\u2019s son Conor also recalled how his father was always busy helping others, often at the expense of his own time, whether organising paperwork for local sporting facilities, keeping shooting organisations up to date, or responding to late-night taxi calls.<\/p>\n
Conor said the guard of honour outside Ballybofey United\u2019s new ground, along with the presence of members of the shooting community in green blazers, helped answer a question he had often wondered about but never asked: \u201cWhy did he always take on so much? Why couldn\u2019t he just say no the odd time?\u201d<\/p>\n
These tributes and the support from friends and colleagues during Gary\u2019s wake showed the family \u201chow well he was thought of and how his efforts have been recognised and appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gary will be greatly missed throughout the county and has been remembered and celebrated as a community stalwart who mastered many roles.<\/p>\n
Gary\u2019s Funeral Mass will be followed by cremation in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan.<\/p>\n
Final farewell to popular photographer who captured the joys of life was last modified: February 10th, 2026 by Staff Writer<\/p>\n
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