‘Sleep easy, my lad’ - Father of Christopher Gavin (16) pays touching tribute to son at funeral mass

The funeral of Co Mayo teenager Christopher Gavin has heard he was “a light” in his family’s household.

16-year-old Christopher, a talented GAA player from Westport, died suddenly earlier this week at Mayo University Hospital.

Alongside his twin brother Michael, he played for their local club Westport GAA.

At the beginning his funeral mass held in St Mary’s Church in Westport on Saturday morning, hundreds of people came through the church to pay their respects to the Gavin family, including Christopher’s brother, his parents Michael and Karen, and sisters Cathy and Emma.

Mourners were told of Christopher’s passion for sport, his love for his nephew and godson Thomas, and his special bond with his twin brother.

Items brought to the altar as symbols of Christopher’s life, introduced by his aunt Anita, included a pair of football boots representing “his love for the game and the joy it brought him over the years, playing alongside Michael and all of their friends”.

His brother brought up a drawing of their family, representing “the laughter, love and unbreakable bond they shared throughout his life”.

Christopher’s number 15 Westport GAA jersey was brought up, which he wore in a winning effort during a match played last Tuesday. The jersey has been signed by all of his teammates and coaches and symbolised “how important and special being part of that team was to him”.

Westport GAA announced earlier this week the number 15 jersey will not be worn for the remainder of this season as a mark of respect to Christopher and his family.

Finally, a bodhrán crafted by Christopher with his transition year classmates at Rice College in Westport was brought up as a symbol of “his creativity and the fun times he shared with his friends during his school days”.

On behalf of the Gavin and Donoghue families, Christopher’s father Michael thanked the staff at Mayo University Hospital for the care they gave his son in his final few days. He also thanked the family’s neighbours and his own circle of close friends for their support.

"He was a light in our very full house. Quiet, but deadly funny in the right company,” Mr Gavin said in a tribute to his son.

"He got on with everyone, laughed heartily every day. He loved Karen and myself, his sisters, his nephew and of course, his twin brother Michael.

"Michael is a name that enters my head every time I speak about Chris. Inseparable, best friends. People have said to me over the last few days that you never see one without the other, whether it’s walking the dogs or heading to the pitch with their mates.

"I hope we all, but especially Michael knows that Christopher lives on in all of us. As a son, I couldn’t have asked for any better and I was lucky to have three other great kids and a lovely grandson. Christopher, you’ll never leave my head. I’ll love you until my last breath. Sleep easy, my lad.”

At the end of the service, Christopher’s aunt Gail read out the poem When Tomorrow Starts Without Me by David Romano.

A guard of honour was formed for Christopher outside St Mary’s Church at the conclusion of the service, with a funeral at Aughavale Cemetery to follow.

As the mass concluded and mourners left the church, there was a rendition of the song You’ll Never Walk Alone.

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