Limerick couple renew weddings vows days before husband's passing

A POPULAR Limerick publican who renewed his wedding vows with his beloved wife nine days before he died said it was “one of the best days of my life”.

David and Aideen Fitzpatrick said “I do” again, almost exactly 28 years after they were married, surrounded by their loving family in Milford Care Centre.

Nine days later, the co-owner of the Four Elms in Drombanna - with his brother Philip - passed away at just 53 years of age. David was diagnosed with cancer a year earlier.

His family made him a very proud man before, and indeed after, his death as eldest son Jack played and scored in an East County semi-final for David’s beloved South Liberties just two days after he was laid to rest.

Family and friends also arranged for a visit of the Mick Mackey Cup to Milford, and South Liberties made a special framed presentation to David ahead of their 140th anniversary celebrations.

The Fitzpatrick family - Aideen and their four children Jack, 25, Molly, 22, and 15-year-old twins Danny and Daver - have now set up a GoFundMe page in David’s memory.

Over €12,000 - between online donation and in-person donations at Aideen’s Elm Court Service Station in Ballyneety - have been raised for Milford thus far. 

As a family, they tried to squeeze in as much as possible in the last 12 months including a treasured trip to Old Trafford in February to watch Manchester Utd.

However, renewing their wedding vows meant the most to David. 

“It was an amazing day,” said Aideen. 

“We didn't cry that much. We went back to the Four Elms afterwards. We brought David back to Milford around 10pm and he said it was ‘one of the best days of his life’.  It was very special to us, a great memory for us as a family to have.”

The presentation by South Liberties to David, joint manager of the Junior B team and underage coach, also meant a lot to him.

“The chairman John Godfrey, treasurer Maurice Barrett and secretary Mike Fitzpatrick called to Milford and presented David with a framed collage. After Fr Tom Mangan anointed him, Fr Tom was looking at it. David asked for it and he laid it on his knees, he was so proud of it,” said Aideen, who gave a moving eulogy at the funeral Mass in Knockea church. 

Gardai were required for traffic control on the previous evening due to the huge numbers of mourners wishing to pay their respects at the removal in the Four Elms.

Aideen painted a picture of a devoted and proud father, fun-loving husband, and wonderful friend to many. 

“A small yet huge testament to Dave's love and dedication to his kids was relayed to me  in Milford. While we were speaking with Carol, one of the social care team, about what their dad was like, she asked the boys, ‘After matches did your dad ask ye how the game went and how ye played? Jack’s answer was, ‘He never had to ask because he was at every single one of them’,” said Aideen.

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David was a man who loved holidays, nights out, singing and wasn’t too concerned when bills came through the letterbox.

Aideen concluded the eulogy on September 20 by saying we all know what cancer can do to us but “let me tell you what it cannot do.

“It cannot cripple our love for each other. It cannot corrode our faith. It cannot destroy our confidence. It cannot shatter our hope. It cannot silence our courage and it cannot conquer our soul.

“So, Dave, put on your blue suede shoes and board that plane. Touch down in the land of the Delta Blues in the middle of the pouring rain and walk in Memphis with your feet 10 feet off of Beale,” concluded Aideen to warm applause in the church.

If you would like to donate to Milford in memory of David Fitzpatrick Jnr click here

“I’ll never forget the staff in Milford. They were unbelievable to Dave and us. We are lucky to have them in Limerick,” said Aideen.