The best and worst of public service, and brave man who taught us how to die

EVERYONE who knew Ross Coakley, especially as he approached the end of his life, respected and admired him, writes Fergus Finlay

He was always lovable — full of fun and charm, devil-may-care, with an amazing gift for friendship. But as illness took hold of him, the character that emerged taught everyone who knew him a lot. In a way, he taught us how to die.

Ross was just around his 50th birthday when he — someone who had revelled in the outdoors, especially the wind and surf that goes hand in hand with kite-boarding —was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. He knew instantly what it meant, and what the outcome would be. He decided there and then to live his life, his way, for as long as he could.