Tributes paid to Pomeroy man who loved to travel

THE funeral of a Tyrone man who died suddenly in Guatemala on Christmas Eve took place on Sunday after his family, assisted by the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, brought his body back home to Pomeroy to be buried.

Mark Lynch, 49, died suddenly and unexpectedly in Guatemala on December 24 of last year.

His family has endeavoured since then to ensure that he was buried back in his home village of Pomeroy.

His funeral took place on Sunday, at the Church of the Assumption close to where the deceased grew up.

Mr Lynch was described as a man with ‘wandering feet’ and a zest for life who had lived in many corners of the globe.

The youngest of nine children, he was born in Dungannon to the late Mickey and Paddy Lynch. The family moved from Dungannon to Pomeroy, where Mark lived until he decided he wanted to see more of the world.

Bitten by the travel bug, Mark lived in New York, London, and Columbia before settling down to make a life for himself in Guatemala.

He was described as a ‘lovable charmer’ who loved music and having a ‘great time’.

Speaking at his funeral, Parish Priest Martin Moore described him as a ‘brave’ man who loved to travel.

“It takes great bravery to move away from home and travel. Often, people have thoughts of doing so but never do. What Mark did in making a life for himself so far away from home is to be commended,” said Fr Moore.

“Although I never met Mark, from talking to you, his family, I believe I have a real sense of the man. From what you have told me, he was a charmer, the sort of person who could charm the birds from the trees. He lived his life on his own terms with a zest and love for travel.”

Fr. Moore added, “I know this is an odd thing to say at a funeral mass, but I am glad we are here today so that Mark can be laid to rest back home. The Lynch family is known locally as a musical family, and I am sure you have sung the ‘Mountains of Pomeroy’ many times. So I think it’s fitting that Mark would be buried in those same mountains so often the family has sung about.

“Mark is home now.”

During the service, tributes were read out by family members who thanked the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust for their work in bringing Marks remains back to Tyrone.

Mark Lynch will be deeply loved and missed by his sisters, brother, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, entire family circle, and friends.