Mourners told to remember Limerick man who died following fall ‘as he lived and not as he died’

“ABOVE  all else, remember him as he would want you to remember him – as he lived and not as he died.”

These are the words of Pat Cotter’s twin sister Clare, who paid a moving tribute at his funeral Mass on Saturday. Pat, who is from a large family in Rockhill, was working on a farm shed in Bruree on Tuesday afternoon, December 13 when he was involved in a tragic accident.

Clare said that over the past number of days many words were used to describe Pat. They included smart, talented, hard-working, witty, modest, a great conversationalist and an unassuming gentleman who had a way of connecting with people of all ages.

Clare shared a lovely story when she and Pat were children and she said she should be in charge as she was slightly older.

Quick as a flash, Pat replied: “The only reason you were born first was because I was a gentleman and I let you out first.”

Pat was described as a “true genius” who had a natural aptitude for engineering and building great sheds. Indeed, he was the most sought-after man in County Limerick and over the Cork border too.

“The pain of his death is not something that will go away easily if ever. What makes it bearable is knowing that he left an amazing legacy not just in the sheds he made but in the lives he touched. I know I speak for all my brothers and sisters that we found comfort in knowing that all of you loved our brother."

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“He loved his family dearly - brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. He was broken hearted when our mother died but he will soon be reunited with her and our father. Above all else remember him as he would want you to remember him – as he lived and not as he died,” said Clare.

Her eulogy was greeted with warm applause at the funeral Mass said by Fr David Gibson and concelebrated by Fr Tim O’Connor and Fr John Mockler.

There has been countless messages of condolence left on rip.ie and one that struck a chord with the Cotter family was, “Great memories of playing cards and fixing bicycles”.

Pat was laid to rest in Bruree New Cemetery.

May he rest in peace.