‘Ye were there for us’: Great sadness at passing of Limerick funeral director, Donie Daffy

ON A COLD winter’s evening the crowds of people wishing to pay their respects to funeral director Donie Daffy queued all the way down St Senan’s Terrace and around the corner and past Halpin’s Bar on Croom’s Main Street.

Gardai were needed to put a traffic system in place as so many people from near and far descended on the town to pay their respects.

His four sons - Michael, Shane, Daniel and George Daffy - and family  shook hands with mourners for up to seven hours at the removal in the family funeral home that Donie built. Donie was also a man before his time as it was one of the first purpose-built funeral homes in county Limerick and between this and operating his car sales showroom on Croom’s Main Street he came in contact with a multitude of people.

His son, Michael Daffy,  said the family were humbled by the huge crowd and that the number of people who wanted to pass on their sympathies at the removal and at the funeral Mass in St Mary’s Church, Croom was “unbelievable”.

A phrase uttered by many mourners was: “Ye were there for us in our time of need”.

“He would have been very proud to see the guards coming out and putting a one-way system in place due to the crowds,” said Michael, named after his grandfather who started it all in 1929.

Michael Snr set out to provide a specialised, meaningful and professional service which his son Donie continued since Michael Snr’s passing in 1978.

Donie went on to build one of the first purpose-built funeral homes in county Limerick in the late 1970s. Prior to this, removals to churches had been from hospital mortuaries and the deceased person’s home.

Daffy’s Funeral Directors have now helped generations of families in their time of need. The business in Croom entered into its third generation with Daniel joining Donie in Croom.

In 2002, the Daffys branched out to Kilmallock when they incorporated Quish’s Funeral Directors and then adding Bennis' Funeral Directors, Ballyagran, in 2018, both under Michael's guidance.

"Donie was very proud of that and was looking forward to seeing Daffys entering their 100th year in the undertaking business" said Michael.

Michael said his father, who died at just 72, was “born and reared in the undertaking business”. Donie was noted for his compassion and kindness at a family’s time of grief, qualities and values which his sons continue to demonstrate.

Michael said they gave their father the same reverence, respect and dignity as all the people they are asked to take care of.

“He was the best in the world and most supporting to all of us. We were blessed with our mother and father,” said Michael.

They lost their mum Christina Quaid in 2018 when she was only in her mid-60s. Donie, after losing his beloved wife, continued looking after the family, while also running the businesses of the funeral home and car sales until he too became ill in recent times.

He passed away peacefully in the wonderful and excellent care of all the staff of Milford Care Centre, surrounded by his loving family.

Michael wished to pay a special thank you to the staff in Milford and all who sympathised with the Daffy family and shared their memories of Donie on rip.ie. One person wrote: “Donie was a lifelong friend of mine and I have many great memories of times spent together.”

Another said they bought their first car in Ireland from Donie in his car sales business in Croom.

“Donie will be missed by us and everyone in Croom,” they said.

The overwhelming sentiments of the sympathies are encapsulated by the mourner who wrote: “Sincere condolences on the passing of the legend that is Donie. He was a gentleman and looked after all our extended family in the past.”

When Donie’s funeral cortege left his funeral home on the Monday morning, neighbours and local business owners stood out on the street in a mark of respect, along with colleagues and employees.

Donie’s own hearse paused at his car showroom and garage on the main street and later at son Shane’s pub on Bridge Street on its way to St Mary’s Church for requiem Mass. 

Donie was no stranger to meeting politicians at funerals and his family were heartened by the attendance of three senior Government ministers and the numbers of county councillors and local representatives.

The Mass was said by Fr David Costello and concelebrated by over 20 priests on the altar from near and far who Donie had served with and formed great friendships with.

Fr Costello, a former curate in Croom in the 1990s, flew home from Boston, where he is serving, especially to say the Mass after hearing of Donie’s passing. Fr Costello has a great friendship and strong connections with Donie and the Daffy family which was very evident in his moving homily dedicated to Donie from which the family took great consolation.

Another great friend of Donie and the Daffys was Limerick auctioneer, the late Geraldine Leddin. Indeed, Donie’s last funeral that he was in full attendance at before his illness was Geraldine’s.  

Fr Michael O’Shea in Kilmallock gave a touching tribute.

“To Michael and all the Daffy family on the birth of Donie into eternal life, praise God for his kindness, empathy and support to others in his ministry as a funeral director. Certainly larger than life, may Donie rest in peace and God reward him for his care and love toward others. Come Holy Spirit upon you, his family. God bless and comfort you all.”

READ MORE: The late Fergal changed lives after his life-changing car accident in Limerick

Donie’s passing is very deeply regretted by his sorrowing sons Michael, Shane, Daniel and George, daughters-in-law Rachael, Tanika and Hanna, adored grandchildren, brother Michael, sisters Margaret, Kathleen and Agnes, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, kind neighbours and his large circle of friends.

He was laid to rest in Reilig Mhuire Croom. 

May he rest in peace.