Cobh

<h1>Stewart Lynch RIP </h1>

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&nbsp;Appreciation By Fr Liam Kelleher
Great sadness was felt in Cobh and the Great Island and indeed further afield at the passing last week of Stewart Lynch of Russell Heights.&nbsp;
Stewart went to his eternal reward after a long illness bravely borne, with great resignation and dignity. It was my special privilege to get the opportunity to share his faith journey with him for most of this year. A man deeply committed to faith, he tuned into my mass online each morning. Indeed the week he died I brought him Holy Communion on the Sunday and he was tuned into my mass that morning.&nbsp;
Then I went to Dover in England to visit my sister who has been ill. During my visit, Chris rang me to tell me the sad news his dad had passed away. For me, it felt like a death in the family, because a great bond had been forged between us during his illness. He was always positive and upbeat and never complained about his debilitating illness. A week to the day at the exact same time I offered his funeral mass online from my home and I'm certain he was with me in his new home.&nbsp;
The funeral procession from his home to St Colman's cemetery saw people come from all over join in that farewell, and by the time it reached the hallowed ground, the crowd had grown to huge proportions, distanced in accordance with Covid regulations. I could see the entire cemetery encircled with mourners.
The final payers were said in between two of his favourite songs and his mortal remains were laid to rest. Stewart was an inspiration to so many people. He was renowned for his building and carpentry skills and many homes on the island and further afield can vouch for this.
<h2>Family Support</h2>
Apart from a few visits to the hospital, Stewart was cared for in his own home by his wife Ursula and his family. They deserve huge credit for the way they cared for him during the 17 months of his illness. They received great support from the medical personnel and the palliative care team.&nbsp;
His untimely death will be felt most by his wife and family. Deepest sympathy to his wife Ursula, children Ciara, Michelle, Sharon, Stewart, Michael, Christopher, and Ursula, his devoted grandchildren, relatives and friends. After having a meal at their home after the burial on Sunday, I headed to Wexford for our annual priests' retreat until Thursday. Stewart and his family were constantly on my mind and in my prayers.
I went from Wexford on Thursday to Abbeyleix to officiate at a wedding on Friday and my apologies for staying away from penning a heartfelt tribute until I returned home on Saturday. As scripture reminds us with words, certainly merited by Stewart, who can rest now from his labours for his good deeds go with him and we can all say Amen to that.
On Sunday I embark on my delayed pilgrimage to Medjugorje and I will pray to Mary our blessed mother to give strength and comfort to Stewart's family and to the O'Connell family who lost their son Karl at 44, and to the family of Ann Buckley Grenagh who made me many a cup of tea with her brown bread during my 12 years in the parish of Grenagh who were also laid to rest during this past week.

Stewart Lynch RIP

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