'Gentle giant' Conor Coleman remembered as organ donor who saved five lives

Family and friends pay tribute to 19-year-old remembered for humour, kindness and life-saving organ donation

Conor Coleman died after being struck by a car in Little Island, Co Cork, last Friday night

A 19-year-old man who died after being struck by a car in Little Island, Co Cork, last Friday night was an “effortlessly hilarious gentle giant” who saved five lives through organ donation, his funeral Mass has heard.

Mourners at the Church of Our Lady and St John in Carrigaline, Co Cork, were told a stadium would be required to fit all of Conor Coleman’s friends into one photograph.

The coffin was adorned with colourful handwritten tributes and messages from his friends and loved ones.

His older brother John said it was fitting that his generous brother had made an “eternal impact” through organ donation.

“As a family we decided to donate his organs. His heart, lungs, liver, kidney and pancreas all received five perfect matches. Meaning as his final act on earth he was able to save five lives and leave a legacy to the end of time.” 

John said his younger brother would have been “blown away” by the large numbers who gathered at the church and thanked those who had called to the family home in recent days for their support.

He said Conor had an “iconic wheezing laugh” that sometimes descended into him “dropping on the floor and rolling around” when the hilarity became too much.

John said it felt “criminal” that the world only got to experience the “joy, generosity, adventure, sometimes wildly inappropriate comments and questionable fashion sense” of Conor for only 19 years.

He said he and his brother were the human equivalent of “Tom and Jerry”.

“He was my partner in crime," John said. 

"There wasn’t a day we were together since the day he was born that we weren’t causing some sort of mischief. So much so that our Grand dad Sean called us ‘the weapons of mass destruction.’ 

"Whether that would be chasing each other around when our Mum would be trying to do the shopping. Or when we got our hands on red paint and I covered him in it from head to toe not realising it wouldn’t come off without a serious amount of washing.

"Or in more recent years when our parents would be watching TV downstairs we would sneak up to the attic window and chain smoke a packet of Benson and Hedges. Sorry Mum and Dad.” 

Although Conor was described as a “modern-day giant”, John said his character and personality outweighed his physical stature.

He said Conor had an encyclopaedic knowledge of engines and tractors from an early age and a gift for friendship, forming “deep bonds” with others.

John added that life was “precious and delicate” and could be taken away quickly.

“Please take this as a message from Conor. No matter who they are. It could be your mother, brother, father or sister, dog, cat, friends or family. It could be anyone. If you love them tell them you love them.” 

Offertory symbols at the Mass included Conor’s size 12 work boots, a high-vis vest and jeans to represent his love of the family business, a photograph of his friends, his school ties from Shanbally and Christian Brothers College, a miniature truck representing his recent attainment of his HGV licence, a badge of his prized possession, a Toyota Corolla E11 6R, a CD, and a stone he found as a child shaped like a heart.

Those attending heard that Conor’s heart “is now beating in Dublin”.

Chief celebrant Fr Sean O’Sullivan said Conor’s death felt like a “bad dream” and stressed the importance of supporting his parents and family following their “shattering loss”.

He added that Conor was clearly “deeply loved” by many people.

“Anyone who knew Conor could see how much he was loved. And most importantly of all Conor knew it. There is no greater gift in life then to know that and to experience it.” 

Burial followed the 1pm Mass at St John’s Cemetery in Ballinrea, Co Cork.

Conor is survived by his parents Barry and Trish, his brother John, his grandmother Betty, his aunts and uncles, extended family, and friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents Sean Coleman and Tom and Eileen Carty.

Meanwhile, gardaí received a report that a pedestrian had been struck by a car shortly before midnight last Friday. Mr Coleman was taken from the scene in Little Island to hospital, where he died in the presence of his family.

Forensic collision investigators attended the scene and carried out an examination. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

Road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, and were travelling in the area between 11pm and midnight on April 17 are asked to make it available to investigating gardaí.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 4558510, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.