"Dad's life was complete the day he met Joan Riordan. He had to fight to get her attention. When he got a date, his life changed; he got his second gold medal. They travelled the world together... The most important thing in dad's life was living for and with mum. He loved her from the moment he set eyes on her."
"Recently, when Dad wasn't doing too good, he asked me to speak today. His one and only request was to tell mum how much he loved her, that he adored her. To thank her for loving him; for spending her life with him."
"He's waiting for you, Mum, with a couple of gin and tonics and a sunbed... God bless, Dad. The couple had been married for 64 years and had three daughters - Lisa, Jennie and Michelle (Mimi) - and a son, Ronnie."
A renowned Olympic gold medallist was laid to rest at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Dublin, with a single red rose symbolizing his wife Joan's devotion. His son delivered a eulogy highlighting the athlete's greatest achievement: meeting and marrying Joan Riordan, whom he introduced as his beautiful wife throughout their 64-year marriage. The athlete's final request was to express his deep love and gratitude to Joan, thanking her for their life together and their four children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter. The funeral celebrated an incredible life marked by Olympic achievement and profound personal devotion.
Read at Irish Independent
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