Published: Wednesday, 17th February, 2010 5:00pm

Pat O'Regan - a man guided by his practical Christianity

The late Pat O'Regan.

The death occurred at his residence of Pat O'Regan, Highfield Road, Cavan. Aged 87 Pat was a native of Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, where his father worked on the railway. Following his father's death, Pat, took on the responsibility of assisting his mother in the rearing of his four brothers and sister, all of whom have since predeceased him.

Pat worked in the printing trade all of his adult life, firstly in Athlone, where he met his future wife, Jane and it was the start of a wonderful romance that was to span more than half a century. He and Jane came to Cavan in 1951 where Pat took up employment in Black's Printers as a compositer. After a number of years he joined the staff of the Anglo-Celt in a similar capacity and latterly as a proof reader. A skilled craftsman in the print industry he enjoyed his stay in both companies but particularly his long years of service with the Anglo-Celt where he was always at home in the company of his colleagues and the camaraderie of that working environment. His deep sense of justice meant that he believed in doing his work conscientiously and to the best of his ability. He was respectful and loyal to his employers the O'Hanlon family.

Always pleasant and fairminded, those who worked with Pat all have fond memories of him and plenty of stories to tell. Pat worked on until he was 70 but would have loved to have kept going forever. He enjoyed his role as a husband and father and the arrival of his grandchildren and great grandchildren added a whole new dimension to his life where he took a keen interest in their comings and goings.

A man of deep religious faith, something he inherited from his family home in Waterford, Pat was part of a group of dedicated people who volunteered to spend time with patients dying in hospital who had no families of their own. Over the years he held the hands of many and prayed with them in their final moments. The second example of his practical Christianity was his involvement with the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the parish. In his quiet and kind way he was there for people, to provide assistance and support at very stressful and vulnerable periods in their lives.

The celebrant of the Requiem Mass Father Ultan McGoohan, CC, said that Pat very much personified the aspirations of St. Paul's letter read at the Mass. He was a man who always loved to see others do well; he was never boastful and was always kind.

On a lighter note Pat had a great interest in sport of all kinds especially on television. He also had a 'weakness' for Judge Judy as she meted out punishment on her popular television programme. He will be missed by his family and many friends and the esteem in which he was held was shown by all those who attended at his repose in the McMahon funeral home on Friday afternoon; at the removal later that evening and again at the Requiem Mass on Saturday morning. The Minister for Health, Ms Mary Harney, TD, a friend of the family, was amongst those at the funeral Mass.

Pat is survived by his wife, Jane, sons, Mark, Jim and Rossa and daughters, Helene, Nathalie and Emma, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The funeral took place from the Cathedral to Cullies cemetery.