Family Portraits by JoAnn Aitken

Author:JoAnn Aitken
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
Published: 2019-07-15T16:00:00+00:00

Gallagher, Gabriel Finnegan

Suddenly, early Sunday, October 3, 2010, Gabriel Finnegan, “almost ten” years old, slipped away to reunite with the other angels. He leaves behind his heartbroken family.

Precious child of Gordon and Theresa Gallagher. Deeply loved by William Campbell Sheehan and Kimberly Scott (his second parents). Cherished grandson and great-grandson of Finnegan and Mary Margaret Gallagher and Barbara Campbell.

Adored brother of Mary Margaret, Michael-Gordon, Joy and Sean Gallagher and Alexander and William Sheehan.

Beloved nephew and great-nephew of Patrick and Linda Gallagher, Dennis and Sharon Gallagher, Shannon Gallagher and Philip Andrews, Erin Gallagher, and his special companion Mary Francis Gallagher; David and Susan Campbell, Nicholas Campbell, Emmalise Sheehan, and Katherine Campbell (Edward Gascoyne)

Gabriel was a remarkable little boy, loved by everyone who met him from the time of his birth. He was happy in Grade Four at Lake Avenue Elementary School where he was a member of the Arts Club and sang in the choir. Donations to the School in his memory would be greatly appreciated. A gathering to remember Gabriel will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 7 at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Dunnville.

Good afternoon, friends. Thank you for coming to join together to remember Gabriel. I am his uncle, Dennis Gallagher.

My wife is skeptical that I can do this. But I know I can. I can feel Gabriel’s tiny hand in mine, and I will prevail.

Gabriel was a wise man disguised as a little boy. He had memories that stretched far into the past and visions of the future that were difficult for the rest of us to understand. My father, his beloved Gampa, believed that was because he was Irish, but so are we all. Gabriel was a seer.

He was precociously verbal, speaking as an adult at a very early age. Sometimes it was startling, other times hilarious. The pictures in his head were simple yet multi-layered. I would ask him philosophical questions just to be dazzled by his responses.

When his second sister was born, his parents asked him to suggest a name. He promptly replied, “Kitten Flower.” The tiny girl was the size of a kitten and looked like a beautiful flower, so his response was perfect. To his parents’ credit, that child’s name is Barbara Joy Kitten Flower Gallagher.

When his baby brother arrived, Gordie and Theresa asked him about their choice of Sean Dennis, which is my name in reverse. Gabriel approved and said that name sounded very mature. I was proud because maturity is my eternal quest. Just ask my wife.

He was indiscriminately affectionate. Every occasion was a love fest. Everyone felt special after a kiss and hug from that busy little boy. He once told me that grumpy people just need more hugs. I’ve seen it work, and I urge you to remember.

Oh, for just one more hug from our beloved Gabriel.

Ladies and gentlemen: I am Edward Gascoyne. My wife is Katherine Campbell, which makes me great-uncle to our Gabriel.

I live in Vancouver and, unfortunately, do not spend as much time in Ontario as I should.

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