A man of Arranmore Patrick Anthony Gallagher, of Cherrydown Avenue, Chingford, London, formerly of Arranmore, died in Whipps Cross Hospital, London, on the 16th March some ten minutes short of his 66th birthday on St Patrick's Day. Pat bore his last illness with strength and courage. On Wednesday 24th Pat, was laid to rest in Chingford Mount Cemetery. His grave, a spot 'That is for ever Arranmore', is close by the summit of the wooded green-hillside cemetery, southwards facing towards Greenwich and the City of London skyline. It is a measure of the man that the Church of Our Lady of Grace and St Teresa of Avila, North Chingford was packed to overflowing, with family and friends, from near and far, for the funeral service on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning's requiem mass. Pat had a great love and respect for the ocean acquired during his young life on Arranmore and this was reflected in the hymns sung at his requiem mass. Fr Michael Stokes, Parish Priest of our Lady of Grace and Dean of Waltham Forest conducted both services with befitting dignity and eloquence. Pat was born in Glasgow on St Patrick's day 1938, the second of five children and only son of Paddy (Bhiddy Earghal) and Biddy (nee Sharkey). Both parents were natives of Arranmore and the family returned from Glasgow to their island home at Illion in 1942. Pat received his education at Aphort national school. His teacher Patrick Bonner remembers him well. As a young man he went with his father to the 'tatie hoking' in Scotland. In later years he was employed on the building of a whiskey distillery on the Isle of Jura. He began his tunnelling career in the Scottish hydroelectric projects and came to London in 1962 where he was employed in the construction of the Victoria underground line. Pat remained in civil engineering until 1997 when he was severely injured in a tunnelling accident. He returned to Arranmore each summer up to the early 1980's to fish salmon on his half-decker the 'St Benedict'. Pat was happiest when he was on a boat. He had a 24ft sailing boat 'The Breakaway' moored at Burnham on Crouch. Here, in the estuary of the Thames, with his wife Mary, their family and friends many happy weekends were spent sailing. Pat was of an athletic build, maintained a high level of personal fitness and had a great love of sport. When at home in Arranmore he played regularly for Midland Rovers and made the occasional appearance for Arran Hibs. He was a proud father, the day some years ago, when his son Patrick scored the winning goal in the final of the Arranmore regatta-week soccer tournament. In 1968 Pat and Mary Nally, Rathowen, Co Westmeath married at the Sacred Heart Church, Eden Grove, London. Pat was an intelligent man, a devout Christian, with a rock solid faith he received from his parents, teachers and priests on Arranmore. This deep faith helped him come to terms with the severe injuries he suffered in the tunnel accident. He spent five months recuperating in the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital; Stanmore and many more at home in Chingford. The doctors in Stanmore said it was his level of fitness and sheer will to live that made him walk again. Pat is survived by his wife Mary, his three daughters Margaret Papa, Sheffield, Bridget Ward, Headford, Galway, Maria Lidbury, Bexleyheath, Kent, and son Patrick, Chingford. Sons in law, Tony, Paul and Stuart. Grandchildren, Gabriella, Gianluca and Daniel. Sisters, Bridie Proctor, Fallagowan, Arranmore, Margaret Sweeney and Mary Roarty, Baltoney, Gortahork, Grace Sweeney, Southgate, London, brothers in law Barney and Charlie Sweeney, Hugo Roarty, Michael J Nally, Winetown, Rathowen and John Nally, Summerhill, Co Westmeath and many relatives. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. Henry --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.647 / Virus Database: 414 - Release Date: 29/03/2004