The funeral Of Mark Gaffney – Lochee, Dundee

23rd October 2023.
Ritz Media Videography Service – https://ritzmedia.com/videography
Funeral and burial service in Lochee and Birkhill Cemetery.

00:00 – Start
01:05 – Service Start
22:05 – Reflection
25:13 – End Of Service
26:03 – Birkhill cemetery service
28:16 – Burial
30:00 – Final farewell

[Applause] [Applause] [Laughter] My name is titties a Kennedy and I would like to welcome you all here today as we gathered here to celebrate Mark’s life and B him a sad and a f for well we so feel for all of Mark’s family today mark As We Know was only 59 and she’d still

Have had many years of memories yet to meet with them all so today for them is unimaginable one so your ongoing love and support is vitally important for the difficult times that lie ahead for them and we also feel so much today for Helen Mark’s mom who can’t be with us here in

Person she will see the service later on but she is with us all very much in her thoughts and her heart up until this year mark was a very fit and active man but very sadly he was D diagnosed with cancer in February a cancer that he was determined to fight

Which he did Mark endured many treatments also an operation but this was a battle he sadly couldn’t win and as we know Mark passed away very peacefully at home his mother’s home the place that he was born surrounded by all of his family all his life Mark was a happy

Choppie always smiling always cheery even as a be he was also a hardworking man and he got on well with everyone he met through life he was so well known and liked as we can see in here today but most of all for Mark he was a

True family man as we know he just adored his mom he stayed with her for most of his life they were always very close and he would do anything for her but just don’t ask Mark to do anything DIY he was really no good at that apart

From just cutting the grass as his mom said though he was always a good boy apart from his two brothers who are here were the opposite they were a PIR of Rascals now Mark was a much loved dad to Lisa and in later years adored Granddad

To Cory and Aon also a dear brother uncle and father-in-law to Raymond as we know as I mentioned his mama is Halen and his dad was a late John and he was one of seven children Jacqueline Halen Carol John shanon and the be Allen now

His dad John was a bus driver at the time and the family lived in the present family home which has been for the last 63 years as this was the house that Helen and John moved into just 2 years after they were married so he’s been a

Douglas boy all these days was living in a cool desac it really was a happy way of life there was lots of other children to play with and those days well you were outside with your pals there was Great Adventures for youngsters then and with Douglas being a relatively new

Scheme there was play parks and football Parks all around but at home it could be quite crammed at times as it was a two-bedroomed house so the four girls all shared a room as did the three boys poor mom and dad in the living room so a

Very busy home but a very happy home each of them looking out for each other they told me they were just truly like the Walton and they would even shout those good nights just like you heard the Waltons on the T so in those days you at first got

Bathed in the metal tub in front of the fire then eventually you were promoted to the sink and finally when you around 20 you managed to get a bath now you didn’t get much toys in those days and a big thing for the kids was watching The

Raindrops run down the windows if they were all stuck IND doors they would all pick a raindrop and hope that they got to the bottom first as much as a big family they were always given the best that John and Helen could it was those days if you

Remember of the Clubby books so Helen and John were very good at saving up for all the presents in later years when the family started leaving home and they got more space a big thing for Mark and his brothers was a pool table in their

Bedroom and a dart board so if there had been tenants in a Carling glass available it would have just been like a pup but at New Year it actually was a bit like a PB Helen and John would sometimes go down to their neighbors so the boys would lower a basket out of

Their bedroom window as the tailor children down below would then oblige them with drinks like half a can that had been left the drags and the boys well they would do exactly the same for them from their house the school for Mark was St Andrews then onto St saviors

And Mark was a clever lad and he did very well at school he was good at doing his homework they were all actually good at school apart from one who shall be nameless in here today I’ll give you a hint as usual the youngest of the bunch now Mark started working at a

Young age he was doing a paper round in a Sunday now this in those days was done out of a pram it was a Mr law who did this and he’ his pram filled with the Sunday papers and the boys would then run to the doors with them after the

Usual shout of a Sunday post news of the world and the mail now there was no jetting off for holidays in those days so a treat would be going down to the grassy Beach walking of course for a picnic at Easter there was always a picnic at camper down or backers Park

You had to work out how long the walk was first before heading off so that it didn’t take too long but those out things there were wonderfully happy times and quite often extended family would be there as well and another thing that Mark very looked forward to in his

Younger years well that was his Victor comic that he would get every week now when Mark got a bit older he joined the BBS and he loved that it was there he learned to play the chanter and he could eventually play the pipes as well now

This could be noisy at home as you can imagine when he was practicing but he also loved the summer camps he really looked forward to those he would go twice a year to the camps which were really for him like a holiday he was also a popular boy he had lots of

Friends so they would be there with him as well now Mark really enjoyed all the sports they would get to do canoeing they would be jumping off rocks all the things that you would not be allowed to do nowadays for health and safety but Mark did suffer quite a bad fall when he

Was a teenager he fell down the stairs racing his sister to get down to the bottom so he broke his hip now this was hard on Mark as he loved his sport especially his football but his hip was never really quite the same after that so Mark supported Dundee all his days he

Was a loyal supporter but his dad John and brother John both supported the opposition which could lead to quite good banter in the house at times and the family would all know whose team won if there were play each other as the losing supporters well they would head

Home for their tea and the winners they would be out for the night now over the years Mark has been at many matches both at home and away and he’s even been at tanise so in leaving school Mark started working at merry mate which is where Mark has been employed all his working

Days around 40 years it’s now known as sappy Rockwell solution Mark was always a very conscientious man never had a day off in life until recently due to his illness he was a forklift driver but he made his way up to be a supervisor as I said he

Worked there for many years he was well liked to his work where he made a lot of friends once again we can see that today his work actually said that in a nutshell everyone would say the same thing about Mark he was a top man he was

A great worker always willing to help everyone and always liking to crack jokes and have a laugh Mark will be sorely missed by them all as he was a big part of the workforce and he liked to have a wee moan when more work was

Added but he always got it done and he cracked a we smile when it was done no one not anybody ever had a bad word to say about him he was as we heard very well liked to his work and he’s now going to be so missed by them all now at

The week weend he would like to go for a pain tenants of course in a Carling glass Mark believed for some reason that you got a better paint in a Carling glass so at first it would be off to cast ways now previous to this when he

Big Sisters got older mark from the age of 16 would get smuggled into the pub by his sisters this was to Joy’s Clubby where they also played Bingo but Mark was always very good to sisters and he would give them money if they were short

And on a Sunday will it be off to teasers if they’d won the Bingo to go to the Disco he then met and married Leslie and this is when daughter Lisa arrived Leslie already had her son Brian who Mark got on really well with and he would take Brian along to the football

But he also started Lisa when she was older at the football and she was she supported the same team when she was little she supported United actually but it was when Mark took her along to match and he sat and the Doney end well she thought she’ better support them too but

Mark and Leslie parted but they have remained good friends and are part of each other’s lives as the years have went on but Mark’s life it totally revolved around Lisa better known as toot to her dad and she’d be with her dad every single weekend which she loved

They have always been very close to each other he was always an active dad with Lisa lots of swimming Lots of days out movies they always shared great times together and as I said she was always his tootes he was a loving dad encouraging just wanting Lisa to do well

In her own life and she could go to her dad with anything whether it was good or bad and he was always there for it but she was a bit scared to tell him when she was expecting codyy but he was delighted with the news that he was going to be a

Granddad I now have some very special special words from Lisa then Corey and Aaron to share with you all first from Lisa when the carnival would come to dande my dad would always take me when I was younger and he always took me on the big rides because he knew that I

Wouldn’t go on in my own and when I got my first house it was Dad that was there helping to decorate and move furniture the same when I moved to my second home but he was said he would leave the heavy lifting to the younger ones any time that I would tell him

Something I’d broken the house he would there he’d go and buy me a new one and he would pay for it but ironically the day after dad passed away my washing machine broke and it was the first time that I couldn’t phone my dad dad was also very proud walking me

Down the aisle he welcomed my husband Raymond into the family with open arms I have been with Raymond since 2004 but we didn’t get my married till 2014 even though Raymond supports dunde United on the day of the wedding dad actually lost his speech on the way to

The venue so he just had to then wing it he wasn’t one for public speaking but he did a great job Raymond has told me that on he stagged you my dad was buying him whiskey and he told Dad that Lisa doesn’t like me drinking whiskey but

Dad’s response was Lisa’s not here so they had a great laugh another memory I have is when I was a teenager and not spending every day of the weekend and with my dad but he would take the opportunity to go to the pup Castaways to watch the football

And I would meet him outside with my cousin Dawn to get my pocket money but he was such a kind-hearted man that he would end up giving the both of us pocket money to spend anytime that I would be a night out in dundy I would always pH my dad to

Meet up with him for a drink almost every time he was in McDaniel’s or if he wasn’t there that that would be our Meetup place we would regularly meet up go out for lunch sometimes just me and him or sometimes with the children as

Well or he was up at my house we would order in a takeaway from the Indian Dad loved a curry but we would always end up ordering far too much so we tell me to keep it for supper and then Dad would always send me a message to make sure

That it had been eating when I was younger he would always me a point of coming to see me in Christmas Day if I wasn’t with him on that day even just for a couple of hours and that continued right up until I was 19 and moved to forer with my own family

I spent a lot of New Years with Dad at Grand’s house when I was younger and all the family would come up for big family dinners and some drinks he would always give me overgate vouchers for my birthdays and Christmases and he would never moan if I made him wander around

The shop for hours with me just to spend them all when I was working in a coffee shop at the weekends he would come in every Saturday for his pot of tea and a jam and cream scone which he always got free because everybody I worked with

Knew my dad and thought he was just great even when I wasn’t working he would still go in and he never had to pay a penny my dad has really been a rock in my life and I hope that we all continue to make my dad proud and we will always

Have him in our hearts and from Aran he remembers his granddad would come to the house knock on the door and then hide from him he would always ask if he could come in and Adam would always say yes then go through his bag to see what sweeties that he had brought

Adam would always bring his big bunny house and toys downstairs and make his granddad play with him and he all always wanted to look in granddad’s Pockets to see if he’d any change and then look in his wallet to find the big pennies Aon used to always steal his

Granddad’s cup of tea they enjoyed video calling each other and this did start during Co when they couldn’t see each other AD would always put on funny backgrounds in the call making Granddad laugh and both he and Cy always told their granddad that he thought they looked like Jack from still game

And finally from Cory Cory remembers going to the cinema with them they would always get lots of sweets and lots of crisps and Granddad looked after Cory Mo weekends until he was around five Lisa and Raymond they’d be working at the weekends so he would take him along to

Parks or soft play then he would take him up to his house and make him macaroni for his tea and he also remembers his granddad putting a Lady Gaga music video on in the house and corach actually got scared and hid behind the couch giving him a great

Laugh now Cory is a dundi United supporter so there was always even more football banter between them just taking the Micky out of each other if one team got beat but his Grandad did buy Cy a dunde baby grow when he was little and there is photographic evidence of

That I would now like to share a very special poem with you all from Cy and and for their granddad Granddad you held our hands when we were small and you caught us when we fell you’re the hero of our childhoods and our later years as well

And every time we think of you Granddad our heart still fill with pride and though we will always miss you Granddad we know you’re still by our sides so in laughter and in sorrow and in sunshine and through the rain we know that you’re still watching over us granddad until we meet

Again now he was also a much loved Uncle with once again being back living with his mom well he saw a lot of the children as he did also of course his brothers and sisters and he used to frighten all the young ones with his false teeth and he would do his famous

Invisible Man trick so he would kid on that he would throw an invisible man into the air and then catch him in a Cris bag and he would make a noise of something Landing in the back which the kids all loved so just ask Lisa afterwards to see the video If you

Haven’t seen it I got a personal showing myself off the trip from the B but of course he had to go one better the B had to use a huge big aaag but his nieces and nephews Catherine Scott Haley Cheryl Bobby darl Lisa Marie Dwayne John Lee Sarah Dale

Suzan da Eden and Jenna and then later all the great nieces and nephews all really love LED their Uncle Mark so for Mark he did like to keep to his routine as we know he was back living with Mom and he was great company for her after

His much loved dad John passed away he would often go to the pub previous to this with his dad they’d go to Jo and to The Bookies they both lik to we flutter and the horses and the football and they would sometimes get lucky and Helen always knew if the faces were tripping

Them when they come home that they had been unlucky but Mark was very like his dad they had the same traits they were good honest hardworking men Just A Simple Pleasures in life with family always was coming first and he was heartbroken as were all of his family when his dad passed for

Helen and all the family now they do get comfort that maybe Mark and his dad are once again together having a wee pain and a wee pun so life went on like this for Mark but he also then liked to get away for a holiday as well well and he’s

Been on many boys holidays of course often with his brother John and his Pals from the pub now Mark was often called OG or Marco at the pub OG because he got away with everything that took me a we bit of thinking to get that one but Lisa

She was worse she actually thought it meant that her dad drank orange juice at the club when she was younger so these holidays they went off to Turkey a lot Mark loved turkey liked the entertainment the strippers Etc sorry Sandra also unusually he liked the fs

Beer and he also loved the food just trying different things going on boat trips in the Black Sea and also his cheap watches he loved them he has plenty of Rolexes it was only through his brother John that he went he got his very first passport at 42 and he never looked back

He also went to Germany then bratislav and benador as the children had all grown now he would go in their stag dos as well and he was often the life and the soul of the party and quite often The Last Man Standing as well so with

Staying with Mom Mark as I said has always been a huge part of his family’s lives Christmas as we heard earlier from Lisa was always spent at his sister Helen’s or Carol’s and their families along with his mom Mark loved Christmas Daye but he really loved his Christmas

Dinner and he would join in all the games and he always had present for everybody as Lisa said her and the boys were always given far too much there are no words of comfort just now for all of Mark’s family his loss has left the world a very different

Place for them all but they’ll always remember his smile his voice his great presence in their lives and he will remain Forever Young in their hearts we’re now going to take a few moments to think about Mark the times that you have all shared with him special memories

That you’ve all made with Mark over the Years Thank you Mark thank you for all the good times and the many happy memories thank you for your love and thank you for your friendship but thank you most of all Mark for just being you and we are truly grateful for having shared our lives with you and if we can learn from

Your experiences in Life or profit from your example well perhaps we will live better lives for just having known you so rest inside the hearts and the minds of all who loved you and be at peace Mark I would now like to share a final poem with you all which has been chosen

By Mark’s family for today God saw you getting tired when the Cure was not to be so he wrapped his arms around you and he whispered come to me you didn’t deserve what you went through so he gave you the rest God’s Garden it must be beautiful because it

Only takes the best and when I saw you sleeping so peaceful and free from pain I could not wish you back to suffer that again once again can I please on behalf of Mark’s family thank you all for your comforting presence here today we would also like to thank all those family

Friends and neighbors for the many cards kindness shown and support shown to them since Mark passed away it really has meant so much to them all and they would also like to thank yvon and Jamie all the staff here from Ashton and mchu Funeral Directors for the care and the

Compassion that they’ve all shown in the preparation for Mark service here today and also a heartfelt thanks to the Mari cuy nursers and also the McMillan nursers for all the Care that they gave to mark this was once again very much appreciated by his family and there is

An opportunity to make a donation in Mark’s memory for the Mari cury nurses as you leave the service you’re all warmly invited to the McDaniel’s Pub after the graveside service to raise a glass to Mark and share your own personal memories of Mark along with his family those of you who are not

Attending the graveside service please feel free to make your way there now and the family will join with you there on the return this first part of the service for Mark is over so let us now accompany Mark and he’s final journey and just before we go I would like to

Thank the family for the wonderful hospitality especially Sandra’s egg sandwiches they’re absolutely amazing and my apologies once again for dropping the coffee all over the Carpet Mark’s life here has now ended far too soon and I know there are no words to truly Express the sadness that surrounds all of you whose lives Mark touched but how do we let somebody go and how do we say I’m ready now to go on without you

How can we ever have a clue of what that really means and then all of a sudden this moment is upon us and there is no turning back and then we know what grief is but there is peace too peace and acceptance and overwhelming love that maybe we weren’t aware of and laughter

Too and so many memories that we’ve not bothered lately to recall they all come flooding back and we have shared just a very small part of some of those special memories earlier today none of us knows what happens when we take leave of this world that we live

In and then we go in our next Journey but it would be so nice to think that Mark in some way he’ll still always be around you and when we lose someone we love we then realize that we ourselves also cannot live and stay around forever and we then think about our own

Mortality and that one day we too will also say good by to this world that we live in when we lose someone we love it seems then that time it just stands still and what moves through us is a silence a quiet sadness a longing to have just one

More day one more word or one more touch and we may not understand why you left this Earth so soon or why you left before we were ready to say goodbye but little by little we begin to remember not just that you died Mark but that you

Lived and that your life has given so many people memories that shall never be forgotten I would now like to hand you over to Jamie our funeral director today till we take our final leave of Mark okay please can ask the court holders come forward first of all the head court please

Okay first right please just to this side here second weit please please first left please just the SE here second left third left and the foot court please okay okay just the through your hands Please C into the grve step back down to level ground Mark go forth from this world knowing that you are loved Beyond me that you will be missed more than words can say that you will be remembered and cherished and that love will never end and as we now hold your memory inside

Our hearts and send you on your final Journey may you forever rest in peace Mark with a certain knowledge that all those who loved you that love it goes along with you I would now like to share a very special final poem with you all which has been

Written by Mark’s brother Allan for today our brother Mark has passed away there’s not really much that we can say we’re hurting and sad but we know you’ll be happy beside our dad Lisa was topnotch through all of this and you my brother we will sadly miss our family

And mates will eventually meet at the gate and it’s you our brother who will initiate the long and the short is we’re a family as one and none of us now can believe that you’re gone so this is my o to my brother and mate I hope to see you

At a later date I hope I spent my Penance in a darling’s class oops sorry brother I meant my tenant in a Carling glass rip Marco once again can I thank everybody from the family for your comforting presence here today also a reminder to join them all for a cup of tea

Afterwards once again they would like me to thank Jamie Anderson Ivonne all the staff from Ashton mchu funeral directors and also all the staff here at the CR at the sorry at the grave side the crematorium and anybody that has made a journey to be here today please all do

Have a very safe journey back to your own homes thank you a okay than You