Crash victim Joseph Anderson will be “pulling his new GAA jersey on in heaven” and “keeping an eye” on his friends, his funeral mass heard yesterday (SAT).
The tragic 13-year-old who died in a a crash on Wednesday which left one of his friends seriously injured was laid to rest in Delvin, Co Westmeath.
Heartbroken mourners heard how the popular teen had been chosen by his younger brother William to be his sponsor at his Confirmation.
In a touching letter William wrote that big brother Joseph was the obvious choice as “he looks out for me”.
Father Mark English a priest at the Church of the Assumption paid tribute to the schoolboy as his mum Fiona dad William and little brother, William Jnr, said their final goodbyes.
He said: “Joseph will have a new jersey on him in heaven.”
In a message to Joseph’s friends, the priest added that the talented footballer and hurler would be “keeping an eye” on them as he “strikes a touch,” in heaven.
“It won’t be the same,” for friends who will grieve the loss of the schoolboy, the priest said.
“But you must stick together in the years ahead,” he added. “Sadly all we can do is to shoulder the terrible sorrow, hearts broken and numb.
“The grief you now endure as parents and his brother...the other lads too, we hold them in our prayers. “Get up, get back out on the pitch, don’t look back.”
The funeral Mass also heard how Joseph had proudly taken on the role of sponsor for his younger brother’s Confirmation.
But tragically “he will never be a best man,” the priest added.
“Joseph is a huge loss, he had loads of pals, cousins too,” the priest said.
“Going to big school without Joseph will be sad, not what he wanted, he’d want you to enjoy the new adventure of it,” the priest added.
Gifts brought to the altar in memory of the boy included his blue and white St Paul’s Clonmellon GFC shirt, a hurl and family photos.
Joseph had been a juvenile footballer at the club, which paid tribute to him during the week.
“Fiona, you brought Joseph to birth, now you pray for God to bring your beautiful boy to a new birth, an everlasting life in heaven,” the priest said.
The youngster had “smiled at life and embraced every opportunity” the clergyman added.
“This is what you and your family loved about Joseph, the young loveable rogue.
“Joseph’s eye was on the sliotar and off the pitch he kept an eye out for everyone, especially the young children at school.”
“Joseph always watched to make sure no one was left out,” the priest said. And no one could “forget his smile.”
The fatal crash took place on Wednesday at around 2.15am in the Lisclogher Great area of Delvin, Co Westmeath.
Another teenager was seriously injured and was receiving treatment at Mullingar Regional Hospital.
Three other teens in the car had non life threatening injuries. The incident has been referred to the Garda Ombudsman.
