Tribute to a pillar of the community
It is with very heavy hearts that our parish and community has said farewell to a man, Brian Comisky, who has left a legacy of dedication to the many things he took on throughout his all-too-short lifetime.
Born one of a family of four to parents Brian and Babby, Brian started his schooldays a mere one hundred yards from his own front door in Aghaloora, a place that set him on the road to being highly successful in many walks of life.
His studies after a number of years saw him qualify as an architect, a job at which he was much sought after. There are many fine and beautiful houses in our community and far beyond that his highly-skilled hands designed. You only have to talk to men who built, plastered or roofed some of these properties to hear their praise for him, also how often he would visit during construction, making sure everything was as it should be.
Community
As a proud community man, Brian was a key member and his involvement and devotion to St Patrick’s Church over many years assisting many different priests will never be forgotten. In recent years, he was a wonderful sup port to Fr Sean McDermott, and then provided that same support to our new parish priest Father Gabriel Kelly, who was appointed just a year ago last Sunday. One of Brian's first tasks was to bring him around to all the homes of the parishoners and introduce him to his new flock, a job he did to perfection, and with a heart and a half - that was Brian.
His community involvement went far beyond St Patrick's. He was a good and respected neighbour who had lots of visitors to his ever-welcoming home and that is going to be missed so much by those who loved to make that call where the door was always open.
The lower bar, as it’s called in Buddies, is yet another place where he will be dearly missed, where he would meet his many freinds from Ballymachugh GFC - a couple who spring to mind, John Coyle and Tony Tierney. There, many a game would be relived and of course, being a most proud Lacken man, there was always lots of banter and often a reminder of the time he, as coach of the Hughs, planned the defeat of his old club in the Intermediate Championship played in Breffni.
More about his huge contribution to Gaelic football later, but we must acknowledge his many achievements as an athlete where he won many honours in Cavan and beyond, being part of relay teams on many occasions where top honours were won and of course, on an individual level, many honours with his powerful running and high level of commitment.
Wood carving & music
Something that was always very close to Brian's heart was wood carving and I had the privilege of seeing his pure genius work on a number of occasions at his home where he carried it out and today you will find many of his works of art in many parts of Europe where he had many clients. The styles and equipment with which he carried out his work were wide and varied and all so well cared for by Brian.
Music was a lifelong hobby and the fiddle was among Brian's favourite instruments and no bother to him to rattle off a few tunes when the occasion arose. A bar of song came easy too and he was, of course, a member of Mullahoran Singing Group - something he absolutely loved. There, among his many friends, he will be sorely missed too.
Passion for Gaelic games
Of all his interests nothing compared to his deep passion and love for Gaelic football, it was an integral part of his life from the first time he played as a schoolboy with Lacken, and a glowing list of honours followed. Very fondly, I recall him being a key member of our Junior B team and especially in 1973 when we won the final against old foes Ballymachugh in a hard-fought encounter played in Cornafean. We had a point to spare at the end and I was privileged to captain the side, a lovely lasting memory.
Brian's skills on the pitch were well knwon, a young man with a ferocious shot, he could use either foot and he had a list of honours to his name – Minor League and Championship medals with the amalagamation of Lacken, Ballinagh and Ballymachugh. An Ulster vocational medal in 1973 played with Cavan Minors at that time and later, in 1976, he played at U21 level where his good friend Eugene Clerkin was on the panel. Then, in 1980, he won a Dublin Senior Championship with Civil Service alongside greats like Dr Pat O'Neill, Seamus Bonner, Kevin Kilmurry and Garrett O'Reilly.
In later years, he also managed a number of teams in Cavan, among them Ballinagh, Ballymachugh, and Kingscourt, all part of his deep love for the game of Gaelic Football.
Brian's remains reposed at Lakelands Funeral Home and mourners came there from all over to offer their condolences to the family circle. Then, as the funeral cortege made its way homeward to where he would be waked, a massive guard of honour lined the road outside the funeral home, with a guard of honour provided by Lacken GAA, young and old, who stood in silence to remember a good clubman.
Then, on Thursday morning, large crowds gathered in the pouring rain at the place for which he had such a love and devotion - St Patrick's - where his funeral mass was concelebrated by his dear friends Rev Gabriel Kelly PP and Rev Sean McDermott. Many glowing tributes were paid for his wonderful contribution and dedication in so many aspects of everyday life.
The music was beautiful as well with Jackie and her group doing what they do so well and adding to a lovely send off for the much-loved and respected Brian. After the church ceremonies, it was over the road, where many times he travelled over his lifetime, to his final resting place in Kill Cemetery where his suffering, which he bore bravely right to the end, will be no more.
Sure we will all miss him but he has left many lasting memories. To his brothers Eugene and Gerry; sister Kathleen; his special friend Shirley and the wider family circle; we offer our sincere sympathies at this sad time. May he rest in peace.
* Obituary by Danny Brady