Costello, Mick
March 01, 2013The late Mick Costello, Wallslough, Kilkenny had a way with him that just endeared him to people. He used his tremendous spirit and boyish, good-humoured charm to benefit others. It was his face, his smile and that playful look in his eye that made him so special. He helped so many charities and people that it would be impossible to name them all, like the late Lizzie O'Farrell of the old Callan Road who passed away after several unsuccessful liver transplants. He appreciated what she, her husband Keith and her family went through because he was the longest surviving liver transplant recipient in the country. In keeping with his sense of what was important, he used to have a birthday party each year for his second liver and always gave thanks for the gift of it. He passed away on Thursday.
Fr Dan Carroll, who officiated at Mickey's funeral Mass in St Patrick's Church encapsulated how everyone felt about "The King": "It is hard to believe this day has come. Mick Costello was an institution in our community; a strong man, a man we thought would never die. In spite of his serious illness over the decades some of us believed he would live forever. Sadly, this is not to be; the great man has fallen; the man we called 'The King' is dead."
He spoke of what a wonderful man he was, dedicated and fiercely loyal to his family and his community. "He loved his family and his great love for them cost him dearly in the pain of loss of a son and a daughter in their youthful years. Great as this loss was it was light compared to the loss of his beloved wife Mary two years ago last December. Mick found life very hard without Mary by his side," Fr Dan told the huge congregation.
He felt compelled to mention Mick's commitment to St Patrick's Parish and the fundraising venture between St. Patrick's Parish and James Stephen's GAA Club which led Mick to be crowned the 'King of the Castle'.
He thanked Mick for his outstanding work with the Foulkstown Cemetery Committee. "As far back as the 1980s he worked with Fr Jackie Robinson and Fr Frank Purcell and others to maintain and develop the cemetery at Foulkstown. Mick worked ceaselessly with the other team members in maintaining the place in which our loved ones rest. It is indeed appropriate that his friends on the Cemetery Committee will carry high his body through Foulkstown Cemetery as he is brought to his final resting place beside his dear wife Mary. In working in Foulkstown Cemetery he did all in his power to help the rest of us keep the memory of our loved ones alive," Fr Dan said.
Referring to the Gospel he had just read, Fr Dan said that Mick Costello was not really dead. "He is alive and with his heavenly Father. He lives now in a new and changed way, thanks to the victory which Christ gained over death.".
And he asked those present to continue to go to the cemetery to maintain the graves of loved ones and neighbours. "It helps to keep alive the memory of our loved ones," Fr Dan said.
For the wider population, Mick Costello was a true Christian, and on a daily basis he carried out acts of random kindness like helping the young couple who skidded into the ditch near Danesfort cross 27 years ago. Mick was driving past in the jeep and towed them out and followed them down the road to make sure there was nothing wrong with the car.
It was fitting that the 69-year-old received such a wonderful send off from so many people. He was such an unselfish person and where ever he went, Mickey Cos made life a little easier and a little more cheerful and you can be sure there was a warm welcome for him at the gates of heaven where his beloved wife Mary was waiting for him.
One of his enduring legacies are the senior citizens homes, opposite St Patrick's Church, which were constructed with the support of his pal, Denis Treacy, Fr Jackie Robinson, Fr Frank Purcell and a host of volunteers in the 1970s. ' Mick played hurling for the Foulkstown Club and In later years, he became involved in the Village GAA club. He followed the coursing with a passion and of course loved the Sevenhouses meeting. He also loved the ploughing and never missed the Danesfort Ploughing Match. As a mark of respect members of the James Stephens Club and the Sevenhouses coursing Club provided a guard of honour for his removal to St. Patrick's church on Friday night and for the funeral procession to his resting place in Foulkstown cemetery, after requiem Mass on Saturday.
He is survived by his daughters. May, Orla and Aoife, sons, Owen and Michael (Jnr) as well as sisters, Maura (England), Ann and Lilah and brother. Jimmy; grandchildren Michaela, Mikey, Joe,Vicky and Caoimhe, other relatives, friends, neighbours and a huge circle of admirers.
Courtesy of The Kilkenny People. Tweet
