Tears at memorial Mass for David Gavin

A YOUNG Mayo man was so struck by the beauty of his surroundings in the Canadian Rockies just before he died in a tragic swimming accident earlier this year that he told his footballing mates he was “in paradise.'

Brian Gavin, an uncle of 26-year-old David Gavin from Castlebar, told a memorial Mass today his nephew was “smiling to the end†before he dived from a bridge spanning the Beaver River, near Kinbasket Lake, British Columbia, on June 30.

Despite a huge search assisted by members of his family and other relatives, no trace of the GAA man's body has ever been found.

At a memorial Mass in a packed Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, tears were shed for the popular footballer and prayers recited that his remains may yet be found and repatriated.

Speaking on behalf of David's parents Michael and Angela, his sister Aoife, and girlfriend Ciara O'Malley, Brian Gavin said the family were totally overwhelmed by the support shown them in the face of their tragic loss. 

He paid special tribute to the many who were involved and continue to be involved in a search and those who had contributed so generously to a special fund which will facilitate a continuance of the search operation.

David,a young man with energy, curiosity, and a sense of adventure, had lived his 26 years (9,610 days) that he “lived, loved and laughedâ€, his uncle stated.

Fr. John McCormack, main celebrant of the Memorial Mass, described the huge loss of the Gavin family as “every parent's worst nighmare.'

He recalled the tragedy of June 30 which occurred while David was travelling with teammates from ISSC Vancouver GAA Club to a match in Calgary.

“They stopped off at Kinbasket Lake to go for a swim in order to cool off,' Fr. McCormack outlined. 

He continued: “Innocently, some of them walked to a bridge that overlooks this beautiful place. 

“It was at a height David was comfortable with. He often had jumped from greater heights before. He resurfaced and then disappeared. His friends responded immediately but were unable to save him.

“What went wrong we don't know and we will never know unless David is found.â€

Former teammates of David from the Breaffy GAA Club in Castlebar, brought gifts to the altar.

These gifts included football boots and jerseys, a skiing pass to signify his great love of the outdoors and a jar of sand and water from Kinbasket Lake where he lost his life.

The chief executive of Mayo County Council, Peter Hynes, along with other officials and staff of the authority were amongst today's mourners. Elected Mayo county councillors also attended, including the cathaoirleach of the authority, Richard Finn. 

David Gavin's parents both work for the council.

Mourners also included members of the Mayo football team, representatives of GAA clubs from throughout Ireland, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his wife, Fionnuala, and former EU Commissioner and Cabinet member, Padraig Flynn.