Daughters of man killed in motorbike crash say farewell to ‘best dad in the world’

The congregation at the Church of the Holy Cross, Tramore learned on Tuesday morning that Michael O’Sullivan could fix anything and that his life’s purpose was first to be a dad, and then a grandad to eight, which was the title he treasured the most.

He died aged 55 on Friday, July 11 having collided with a car while riding his motorbike at Monvoy, Tramore on the evening of Wednesday, July 9.

Michael’s family singled out the staff of University Hospital Waterford and the intensive care unit for the care they gave to him in his final hours last week.

Fr Tadeusz Durajczyk told mourners at the funeral mass this week that “Michael was a person of many qualities – kindness, generosity, love for family”.

He added: “For 55 years, he lived with joy, with love. Though his time on Earth has ended, the legacy of his life continues in the hearts of all who knew him.”

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 18th

From Cullencastle, Tramore, he was born on March 3, 1970, in Waterford, to parents Mary and Michael. His first home was the Glen Road, Tramore. He grew up in Waterford living in Lisduggan, Lismore Park, and Lauradell.

“He had a wonderful childhood with his parents and siblings, Margaret, Clare and Declan,” said Fr Tadeusz.

“Michael met his wife Lillian in 1989 and fell deeply in love. They got married in 1991 and were married for 34 years. They raised four beautiful children, Nicholas, Fiona, Heather and Rebecca, surrounded by love. His family was the most important thing in his life, and he dedicated every waking minute to them.”

Michael had eight grandchildren, Mya, Maisie, Dolly, Frankie, Gustav, James, Katie and Finn.

“He was at his happiest surrounded by them and having fun. Michael was amazing at making and fixing things. There was nothing he couldn’t turn his hands to.”

The funeral congregation heard how Michael had a collection of tractors which he restored. His latest endeavour was bringing a Land Rover Defender back to life, which he took for a spin at weekends with Lillian.

Michael worked as a fitter in many companies over the years, including GSK in Dungarvan.

He also loved to swim and could always be found helping swimmers in and out of the water, and he loved to watch hurling.

“He would watch every match, no matter who was playing, but was a true Waterford supporter.”

Michael also took November 1 off every year for the start of the shooting season. He and his friend Jimmy would be in the fields for the day, shooting pheasants.

After Fr Tadeusz’s address, Michael’s daughters, Fiona, Heather and Rebecca, recalled the love they received during their childhoods from their dad.

“From the moment he became a father, his whole life’s purpose was being a dad,” said Fiona. “From spending his days bringing Nicholas around with the lads, to welding car seats to the back of a van to travel around Ireland.

“He was very bad at remembering special days, but was over the moon when his youngest grandchild, Gustav, was born on the first day of the shooting season, an easy month to remember.”

Michael had a very different relationship but special bond with each of them. Some of Fiona’s best memories were playing outside in Westbrook, checking the time on a Saturday afternoon. By the time six o’clock came it was time to run inside and cuddle up with him to watch the big movie.

“Dad was the one to call when something went wrong, or you needed something to be done,” said Fiona, who recalled a time when her first car nearly broke his heart because it broke down once a week. “To which he would say, ‘no bother, I’m on the way’.” When she told him of a new romance, he once joked: “I just hope he’s a mechanic.”

Michael was always playing practical jokes on them, hiding and then jumping out at them. Or hiding a Santa mask between the curtains, to which they woke up and were “scared stiff to move”.

“It was a privilege to call you our dad, and all the memories we have of you,” said Fiona.

Fiona’s sister Heather said everyone knew a different version of their dad. “He was a loving husband to our beautiful mother, an amazing father, a kind and caring son and brother, and a wonderful friend and work colleague.

“He had a huge impact on the lives of everyone he met. But the title that meant the most to him and the one he truly treasured was that of Grandad. He really was the best.

“I feel so incredibly blessed to have had the childhood I had with my dad. I was blessed all over again by being able to relive it, by being able to watch my own children get the same incredible memories he gave us.”

Heather said everyone could see Michael was simply made to be a grandad from the way he held his grandchildren in his arms. “He is the reason I still believe true love exists, because the love for my mother could be seen and felt.”

Michael learned how to cook a roast for the family dinners. His advice was worth its weight in gold, and he was the smartest man we knew, said Heather, who added that her girlhood memories include being brought to bike shows and hunts.

Heather also said that everyone’s stories about Michael, showed his “big heart” and “kind soul was felt by everybody that he met.”

Rebecca said he was the kind of dad who let her play Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber songs in the car. They would go to Kenmare, and from the moment the family left Tramore they would be playing their CDs – by end of the trip Michael would be singing along with them.

He had the patience of a saint, and he showed his children how to be independent and strong.

“We have all these amazing memories of Dad, from him bringing us off on adventures on the weekend, to him bringing me for lunch on a Friday after school and always supporting and caring for us. Dad did everything for us.”

Rebecca said Michael showed them how to be kind to everyone. “He always said, ‘it’s nice to be nice’.”

“My dad was the best dad in the world and I couldn’t imagine a life without my dad,” said Rebecca. “We love you and I know I will see and feel your presence in the sunrise in the morning, at the sunset at night, that I will feel you in the waves at the beach and in the calmness of the water. As our dad would have always said, ‘lovely stuff, see you later’.”

Michael’s sister Margaret recited the well-known poem by WH Auden Funeral Blues, which is also often called Stop all the Clocks.

As per Michael’s wishes, a private cremation will take place on Wednesday, July 16.