Kilkenny family help give departed friend a proper send-off

Friendship is an incredibly powerful concept, and we are sometimes reminded of that, even in death.

The friendship between Michael Dunne, his extended family, and John Austin, was very much one of those cases.

John passed away earlier this year in Kilkenny City, after succumbing to a battle with illness.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE

He was originally from the Birmingham area of the UK, and had moved over to Ireland by himself many years ago.

Known affectionately as ‘The Duck’, his circle of friends in Kilkenny was small but very close.

He was a gentleman, loved having a laugh, and enjoyed sharing company with those that he met.

When he passed, a public call was put out seeking to find his family in the UK in a bid to repatriate him, but to no avail.

Sometimes all you need is a friend though, and luckily The Duck, even in death, had Michael Dunne.

Michael, with the help of his family, took up the task of arranging his friend’s send-off.

Michael and his family handled all matters with the funeral directors, ensuring that their friend would get the send-off he deserved.

The Dunne family home, in Newpark Close, was opened to allow The Duck to repose, and to let friends that he did know in Kilkenny to pay their final respects.

Following this, a private cremation took place, and Michael felt duty-bound to look after his friend’s ashes.

One thing that The Duck had made clear throughout his life was his love and passion for West Bromwich Albion Football Club.

It was a team that he followed fervently, and he had spoken before about how he would be happy to have his ashes, when he did pass, scattered on the club grounds.

For Michael, the next decision was simple - to fulfil his friend’s wish.

As soon as he could manage, he booked a flight, and took the remains of his friend across the Irish Sea.

In one final act to friendship, he brought the ashes to the Memorial Garden at The Hawthorns, and laid his friend to rest.

It was a moving and emotional pilgrimage for Michael, but worth it, because it’s what his friend wanted.

His message to everybody back in Kilkenny: “Fly high Duck, you got all your wishes. Missing you loads.”

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE