Popular art teacher gives gift of life and sight

A POPULAR Killyclogher man has given the gift of life and sight to many through organ donation.

Eamon Bradley, the respected former Head of Art at Sacred Heart College, passed away aged 63 in March, shortly before the Covid-19 lockdown.

Eamon’s daughter Sinead said it is comforting to know that out of one of the saddest times of their lives, other families have been given a positive future. Sinead said, “We received a letter to tell us that daddy’s lungs and kidneys were donated. He also donated his eyes and we were told each eye gives the gift of sight to as many as five people. Parts of his heart are also being used, which we were told can help new born babies.

“We then received a letter last week from the lady who received daddy’s kidneys. It was bittersweet to be honest, but I think it will bring us all huge comfort in time to know her life has been transformed by daddy being an organ donor.

“We are not allowed to know who she is, but she told us she had been waiting for a transplant for six years. It is comforting to hear that the transplant was such a success.”

While sitting with her father in his final hours, Sinead recalled how the family decided to donate his organs as they knew it was what he would have wanted.

They later discovered he was already on the organ donor register.

Sinead continued, “In the saddest moment of our lives, we were giving hope of a better life to so many other families.”

Eamon was well-known throughout the wider community having worked as an art teacher in St Brigid’s before the creation of Sacred Heart College. Taking early retirement aged 55, Eamon stayed busy taking painting classes in the Strule Arts Centre and for a group of ladies in Beragh.

The high esteem in which he was held within the community was evident from the large numbers who attended his wake and funeral, which a week later would have been completely private.

Sinead said, “Looking back we are so grateful to be able to see him and say our goodbyes. A week later we wouldn’t have been allowed into the hospital. We were able to have a wake and a funeral and my thoughts go out to all the families at present who don’t have that opportunity to say their goodbyes.”

Eamon Bradley was the loving husband of Geraldine, cherished son of Thomas and the late Vera, devoted father of Sinead and Eimear and dear brother of John, Michael, Martin, Neil and Anne-Marie.