Mick Cuffe, People from County Mayo in the West of Ireland

Movingly and beautifully, Sharon Cuffe, one of Mick’s daughters, sang "The Lord is My Shepherd" in a packed funeral Mass at the Church of the Holy Rosary in Castlebar.

In musical tributes at the mass, Tony Kenny, a friend of Mick’s sang "Blue Bayou" while another friend; Brendan Smith played "Rose of Mooncoin" on the steel guitar.

Many of the congregation joined in the singing of "Blowing in the Wind".

Chief mourners were Mick’s widow, Maura; sons; Padraig and Michael; daughters, Sharon and Lorna and parents Tom and Peggy and his brothers and sisters. The main celebrant of the Requiem Mass was Fr.Sean O’Toole, an uncle of Mick’s wife Maura assisted by number of priests including Fr. Tom O’Toole, another uncle of Maura; Fr. Jim Buggy and Fr. Nally, Belcarra.

One of Mick Cuffe’s uncles; Fr. Bernard Cuffe, led the prayers at the graveside.

As the remains were brought from the Church, a number which Mick had recorded on tape, a Frank Sinatra song, "I Did It My Way" was played over the speakers.

”My Way"

And now the end is near

And so I face the final curtain

My friend; I’ll say it clear

I’ll state my case of which I’m certain

I’ve lived a life that’s full

I’ve travelled each and every highway

But more, much more than this

I did it my way

Regrets, I’ve had a few

But then again, too few to mention

I did what I had to do

And saw it through without exemption

I planned each charted course

Each careful sep along the byway

But more, much more than this

I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew

When I bit off more than I could chew

But through it all, then there was doubt

I ate it up and spit it out

I faced it all and I stood tall

And did it my way

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried,

I’ve had my fill, my share of losing

And now, as tears subside,

I find it all so amusing

To think I did it all that

And may I say-not in a shy way

No, oh no not me,

I did it my way

For what is a man, what has he got?

If not himself then he has naught

To say the things that he truly feels

And not the words of one who kneels

The record shows I took the blows

And did it my way.

Conn Telegraph 18th September, 2002