Buckley, Peter
January 25, 2012Those were just some of the many moving tributes paid to the late Peter Buckley at his Funeral Mass last Wednesday afternoon.
St Carthage's Church in Courtnacuddy was overflowing with mourners who gathered to say their final farewell to the much-loved 25-year-old who tragically died in a road accident on Saturday, January 7, while on a charity expedition to a remote part of Peru.
As parish priest Fr Jim Nolan welcomed the congregation, he highlighted that the numbers present were a testament to the love and affection in which Peter was held by so many.
'We can hardly speak to others when we do not know what to say ourselves in the face of such sadness," said Fr Nolan.
'Each of us has a story to tell - namely the story of our life. Everyone's story is unique and deserves to be listened to with respect. Sadly all stories end with death and sadly sometimes death comes when we are just half-way through," he said.
'No parents should have to bury their child and yet death and the next life is the destination we all share as believers - Peter was a believer,' added Fr Nolan, who told the congregation that all the fun, laughter and good that Peter achieved in his life will forever be etched in the memories of his loved ones as they try to come to terms with his passing.
'Peter Buckley scored well on the Christian scale. Hopefully he'll get a good handshake from the other Peter at the Pearly Gates,' said Fr Nolan.
In what was a most poignant and heartfelt tribute, Peter's former primary school principal Michael Kennedy, speaking on behalf of Peter's devastated parents Eamonn and Mai, told the congregation that Peter lived his life full of dreams and died living his dream.
'We are all driven by different forces in life; Peter was motivated by his 'dream'. He had many dreams in his short life; many plans to work towards, many goals to achieve and of course many impressive accomplishments," said Michael.
Fondly recalling Peter as a young boy, Michael remembered how from a very early age he was a vary chatty and was sure to greet you with his old fashioned 'Grand day! Grand day!"
As a young boy he was educated in Courtnacuddy NS and later in the CBS Secondary School, Enniscorthy. After his Leaving Certificate Peter went to Cork IT to study Mechanical Engineering and from there he went to Napier University in Edinburgh to finish his degree. He then achieved his Master of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
Michael said Peter's dream of farming and working with machinery stayed with him and throughout his time in school and college he spent his spare time and most of his holidays working with some local farmers doing all the various jobs required.
'His work was exemplary and all concerned will vouch for his commitment to the job, to his understanding of a situation, to his dedication to detail and to the fact that he didn't have a lazy bone in his body. When Peter said he'd do it, then the job was guaranteed well done,' said Michael.
When he was studying in Cork Peter often juggled a night security job followed by relief milking in the morning, with college lectures squeezed in somewhere between and while he was at university in Edinburgh Peter worked part-time with the building and engineering company Mott MacDonald Fulcrum. They recognised his potential and awarded him a full-time position with the company after he finished his studies. He was aiming to get his chartership this year and he even brought his thesis with him to Peru so that he could work on this.
'But it wasn't all work with Peter,' said Michael. 'He regularly came home to where he called "his favourite place on earth", Courtnacuddy. He was unashamed and in no way shy of letting his friends know of his love for his family, for his friends and for his home parish.'
'Peter treasured the times he had together with his friends, under the tree after Mass."Catch-up time" he used to call it, and he'd finish his farewells with the phrase 'keep her lit, lads, keep her lit'. These are some of the happy memories that his devastated friends here in Courtnacuddy will carry with them forever,' added Michael.
Whenever he came home Peter also tried to connect with his 'older' friends - people with whom he had worked or known as a child; parents of his friends; older relations and such.
'Age didn't matter to Peter. When in your company he seemed to have all the time in the world for you. He shared his news and was always interested in how you were getting on yourself," explained Michael.
Those present also heard that another dream of Peter's was to represent his school and his GAA club, Davidstown-Courtnacuddy, on the pitch, which he succeeded admirably in and had his greatest supporter in his father. Peter was a loyal worker for the club during all his underage career, displaying wonderful skill, character, leadership and great sportsmanship on and off the playing field. He captained the minor hurling team that won the County Championship in 2004, which was a proud and historic day for the parish. One of Peter's most memorable moments dates back to 1998 during the All-Ireland Feile match between Davidstown-Courtnacuddy and Oylegate when he was carried shoulder high off the pitch for doing a crucial thing - stopping a vital goal in the final moments.
"Peter's reputation on and off the playing field was noted, not only for his skills and talents but also for his sense of fair play and his gift of inclusion for everyone. He was the guy who would welcome newcomers and could get all the lads in the group to gel," said Michael.
The congregation heard how some four-and-a-half years ago Peter's life took on a whole new meaning when he met his girlfriend Clare.
"She was out with a group of girls in Edinburgh. His poor chat up line didn't put her off, and they got together soon afterwards," said Michael.
The relationship blossomed and Peter and Clare started making serious plans for their future, which was definitely to be at home in Ireland. Peter was looking out for a least 10 acres of land - he dreamt of himself as a bit of a farmer. And his dream was in sight," he added.
All the Buckleys are very fond of Clare and get on very well with her. Just last summer, Peter and Clare and Clare's parents organised for Eamonn and Mai to holiday in Derry and see the Giant's Causeway, Daniel O'Donnell's home and Malin Head. Peter and Clare took time off work to bring them to all the sights. Clare's parents couldn't have been more helpful and hospitable, they all had a great time and Peter was very proud and happy.
Peter too was very fond of Clare's parents, her brother and their family and neighbour he had got to know from his trips to Derry. They were equally fond of him and had had many good times with them. "Peter introduced the sliotar and hurley to Ballinderry Shamrocks but I think they were more used to the bigger ball there and despite Hugh's (Clare's father) support he didn't succeed but they had some fun about that," said Michael.
'Peter loved Clare to bits and she likewise loved him,' he said, adding that Peter was so proud when Clare came with him to Courtnacuddy, where she was welcomed by young and old alike.
In paying such a moving tribute to Peter, Michael concluded saying Peter went to Peru to follow another of his dreams - to help out in the cause of other people's sickness and misfortune, however, while he was there, God called him back to himself.
'Heaven will be his reward for a life well lived. His death leaves a heartache that nothing and no one can heal, but his life and his love leave treasured memories that no one can take from us," he said.
'But Peter, you never dreamt of that terrible catastrophe that waited for you in the mountains of Peru. While admiring their magnificent beauty you never realised their treacherous destruction. While enjoying the challenge of your commitment with your friends, you gave the ultimate sacrifice. We are so proud of you. If you knew fear or loneliness, Peter, in those last few moments we are with you now and will always be with you in spirit and prayer.'
Peter's untimely passing is mourned greatly by his grieving parents Eamonn and Mai, brothers Tony, Liam, Kevin and Colm; sisters Dolores, Carmel, Bridget and Marie; by his girlfriend Clare Martin, his nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, relatives and many friends.
May he rest in peace.
-Courtesy of Wexford People, January 25th 2012 Tweet
