THE FUNERAL of a 13-year-old boy who was killed in a car crash in Westmeath was held this weekend.
Friends and family gathered to lay beloved son and brother Joseph Anderson to rest in Delvin, Co. Westmeath this past Saturday, June 13.
Despite the restrictions in place as part of Ireland’s coronavirus regulations, a large crown of mourners stood outside the church today as a mark of respect to Joseph and his family.
Only 25 people were allowed to attend the congregation inside the church with Joseph’s parents William and Fiona Anderson and his older brother William junior joined by his grandmothers Rosaleen Anderson and Mary O’Reilly along with other close friends and family.
Father Mark English, a priest at the Church of the Assumption, led the tributes to the popular schoolboy and GAA fanatic, who died in a car crash on Wednesday which also left one of his friends seriously injured.
An investigation into the circumstances of the accident is ongoing.
Several gifts were brought to the altar in memory of Joseph, including his blue and white St Paul’s Clonmellon GFC shirt, a hurl and several family photos.
Fr English, parish priest of neighbouring Killucan, described in his homily how there was “no better young man than Joseph Anderson to smile with life and to embrace every opportunity that would come his way.
“This is what you as his family and wider circle of friends so loved about Joe, the young loveable rogue,” he said.
“The child with the bright glint in his eye, watching for every chance he could take to dodge homework and perhaps housework too. On the pitch Joe’s eye was on the sliotar or the ball and off the pitch he kept an eye out for everyone, especially the younger kids at school.
“Joseph was always there to lend a hand at school, to watch out that no one felt left out and like the true man that he was, to own up when he was in the wrong.”
(Image: RIP.ie)“As a young lad he was wise in recognising how to give everyone every chance and to accept, respect and love his family, his friends, his classmates, his team mates, even the opposing team,” he added.
“In some respect, he was a quiet lad but he let that image go when his skills and talents were loudly noticed for school, St. Paul’s or Brownstown. Most people say without doubt he was destined to play for the County.”
Fr English also told Joseph’s primary school classmates: “Going to big school without Joe will be sad but he’d want you to put on smiles and enjoy the new adventure of secondary school and teenage life. "
“Life here on earth throws up a whole list of what shouldn’t be! All we can ever do is accept what suddenly happens, be it Coronavirus or accidents or whatever it may be, and try to cope and pick up the pieces of our broken lives, trusting in God to provide us with the grace and strength we need day by day,” he added.
According to the Irish Independent, the priest concluded his homily with a poem entitled “Joseph” that included the lines:
Joseph
In school teachers noticed you among the rest,
your patience and manners were always the best.
Joseph you were always quick to give up your chair
or hold the door open with great care.
As a person you were gentle and so unassuming in nature.
Your classmates would describe you as a loyal and valued friend.
The memories of all the good times we had with you at school have no end.
We are so saddened as we don’t know when
but we look forward to seeing your beautiful, unforgettable smile again.
