Always kind, always helpful and someone “whose heart was always with his family”, father-of-seven John Guy, who died in a tragic road collision last Saturday, has been remembered with fondness and love at Requiem Mass in Keady today.
Mourners gathered at St Patrick’s Church, where Fr Aidan McCann joined family in paying tribute – a week on from a tragedy which claimed three lives – and remembering too the other victims.
Mr Guy died alongside 31-year-old father-of-four Conor Quinn, from Cookstown, and Laura Hoy-Henry, (23), a mother-of-one from Derrylaughan, Coalisland.
The three had been travelling in a red BMW car which was involved in a collision with two other vehicles on the Armagh Road, near Moy, last Saturday evening.
The funerals of the other two victims have already taken place during the week.
In Keady this morning, items were brought to the front of the church and placed by family members, each with a special message to remind them all of a man whom they had loved dearly and but had been cruelly taken from them.
A son of Caroline and Harry, Mr Guy was originally from Dublin and was an ardent supporter of his home county.
And there was a special reason for the placing of a Dublin jersey, there to “represent John’s love for Dublin, a love that began with his dad, whose heart always belonged to him”.
Mourners heard: “For John, supporting Dublin was never just about football, it was about where his father came from. It was about pride, belonging and the quiet bond between a father and a son. In cheering on Dublin, John carried a piece of his dad with him. Whenever we see the blue of Dublin, we won’t just think of a team, we will think of John, of family and of a bond that will never be broken.”
His “love for cars” was recalled too, with a model car also brought to the front of the church.
“They weren’t just a way of getting from A to B. They were always something he loved to wreck about at. But whether John actually knew how to fix them or not is another story, but that never stopped him. John would always give it a go with maybe a video or two. He’d be under the bonnet, ready to sort it,” all present heard.
A high-vis jacket was carried up to “represent John’s dedication to his work”, with mourners told: “John always said no half days around here and yet he somehow managed to have plenty of them. That was John, full of big jokes, great craic and always keeping us laughing.”
A picture celebrated “John as a true family man”.
“Whether he was out of the country or at home, he was the happiest when he was with his family,” was the explanation for its inclusion. “That’s where he belonged. No matter what country he was in, he always seemed to pick up the accent, sometimes within minutes. But no matter where he was, his heart was always with his family.”
A candle was a further reminder of that special bond, specifically “to represent John’s deep love for his mother”.
“Her light guided him throughout his life and that love remained in his heart always. No matter his age, he always made sure to say, ‘love you, mum’. Those simple words carry so much warmth, loyalty and heart.”
Finally, ribbons were there to represent his seven children, “the greatest gift of his life”.
“Each ribbon stands for one child, uniquely unique and deeply loved, yet forever connected as one through him,” those present learned. “Though he is no longer here to guide them in person, the bond he created can never be broken with John’s seven children that he loved dearly.”
Fr Aidan McCann began his Requiem Mass by offering prayers for, and condolences to, parents, Harry and Caroline, children Troy, Maddie, Carla, Tiana, Brogan and Morgan, and his daughter Amy-Louise, in Kent, who had joined via the parish webcam, as well as sisters Regina and Aisling, brother Christopher, and extended family, neighbours and friends.
“It has been a long week for you, the Guy family, from the tragic events of last Saturday to today, for John’s final prayers and journey to his final resting place in our graveyard beside us here in St Patrick’s of Keady,” said Fr McCann.
“We are, as you know, in Lent, and only over a week ago, we received the ashes on our foreheads as a reminder of the words of God to Adam in the Garden of Eden, that we are dust and unto dust we shall return. Those sad and final words we shall hear again today at the graveside, sadly, of John.
“Death is part of life and comes to us all sooner or later, and in John’s case, also not forgetting Laura and Conor passing all too soon.”
Born John Francis Guy in Dublin and reared in Carrickmacross, the celebrant said he had been the eldest of four children to Harry and Caroline.
And turning to his loves and interests, Fr McCann added: “John is being buried today in his beloved blue of County Dublin. For John supporting Dublin, it was never just about football. It was about where his father came from and a reminder of his roots.
“We have also before us John’s high-vis jacket to represent his dedication and love of work. He would often say no half days around here, and yet somehow, I’m told, managed to have very many and plenty of them. But that was John, they say, he was full of jokes, keeping those around him laughing.”
Sharing how Mr Guy had only recently become a grandfather, Fr McCann added: “He loved family deeply, and no matter where he was, his heart was always with his family. John Guy by name, but more importantly, I’m told he was a great guy by nature.
“He was always willing to help out or give a hand to anyone in need, no matter how near or far they were. As the family would say to themselves, if in doubt, give John a call. John Boy, as he was affectionately called, was always kind and helpful, and rarely without a cup of coffee in his hands.
“Death does not have the last say, and Lent does not last forever. Thankfully, it only lasts for 40 days of the year. So too, that just as life quickly passes for us all, and we all have our sufferings and crosses to carry, so too, death is also short.
“If we believe in Easter, we believe in the Resurrection, on the last day, that Christ will come again to see us, His people. We believe in the eternal day, the eternal Easter in heaven. That’s why at every funeral mass, we have the Easter candle lit, and as a reminder that we await our own resurrection at the end of time, just as Christ did, that where Christ our Shepherd has gone first, we too, His people, His sheep, we shall follow after Him, our Master, our Saviour and Redeemer.”
After the Requiem Mass, Fr McCann led family and friends outside, as Mr Guy was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
