Mother and father of teenager who died on Greek island pay tribute to ‘fabulous son’
T
he mother and father of one in every of two Dublin faculty leavers who died on a Greek island vacation have paid tribute to their “fabulous son” at his funeral.
Max Wall died on the island of Ios final weekend.
The 18-year-old, who underwent main coronary heart surgical procedure three years in the past, fell ailing on the island’s port as he was about to board a ferry.
Hours earlier, the physique of fellow pupil at St Michael’s College in south Dublin, Andrew O’Donnell, was discovered on a rocky hill on the island.
Mr O’Donnell, who was additionally 18, is believed to have fallen whereas strolling again from an evening out.
The youngsters have been amongst a big group of younger folks from St Michael’s and different Dublin faculties who travelled to the island to have fun the tip of their Leaving Certificate examinations.
Monday’s funeral service on the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook in south Dublin was instructed Mr Wall was talking on the telephone to his father Niall shortly earlier than he died.
“One second Max was living and the next he was not, it was as quick as that,” Fr Paddy Moran instructed mourners.
“Max did not suffer. He was not afraid. He died listening to the voice of a father who loved him. There is consolation in that.”
Mr Wall’s father and mom Fiona each delivered tributes on the service.
“Today marks the end of an eight-day journey for us that with the most profound cruelty has not only taken Max from us but has robbed him of a bright future. And the sense of loss that we feel is so deep because of what he has lost,” mentioned his father.
The most necessary factor about Max is that he merely was our fabulous son and we’ll love him ceaselessly
“Today is a day to remember Max, of course to mourn his premature death, but also to mark his short but very full life. Max was full of life. He brightened the life of others. He was the best craic. He was full of fun. The best kind.”
He spoke of his son’s bold nature, his generosity, independence and well mannered, variety and respectful manner.
“The most important thing about Max is that he simply was our fabulous son and we will love him forever,” Mr Wall added.
He additionally prolonged his condolences to Mr O’Donnell’s mother and father Bebhinn and Gavin.
“We forged the closest of friendships through our joint journey through what has only been a nightmare over the last week,” he mentioned.
Mr O’Donnell’s funeral might be held in the identical church on Wednesday.
Mrs Wall learn the poem Funeral Blues by W. H. Auden at Monday’s service.
She then delivered her personal tribute to her son.
“Max, our darling boy, we love you forever. We miss you dreadfully. You were a force of nature and your memory will live on,” she mentioned.
There was sustained applause from mourners after Mr Wall’s mother and father delivered their tributes.
Earlier, his classmates took symbols to the entrance of the church to signify his life. They included a Manchester United shirt together with his title on the again, a signed Leinster rugby jersey and a pool cue.
A megaphone symbolising the fervour with which he supported the groups he cherished was additionally taken ahead.
The teenager’s mother and father took non secular symbols ahead to suggest their son’s robust religion, whereas his brother Charlie delivered a studying.
It by no means occurred to me that we’d be gathered two months later for the funeral of Max
St Michael’s College chaplain, Fr Moran – who celebrated the commencement ceremony attended by Mr Wall two months in the past, was the principal celebrant at his requiem mass.
He mirrored on the ceremony for the college leavers who had accomplished their Leaving Certificates and have been making ready for a brand new chapter of their lives.
“It was a joyous occasion,” he mentioned.
“I looked out at this sea of faces ready to embark on the next stage of their lives as young adults – young, energetic men ready to take on the world.
“It never occurred to me that we would be gathered two months later for the funeral of Max. It is heartbreaking to be gathered in this most tragic of circumstances.
“Our hearts are broken.”