We could spend hours talking about Dad but that would make him late and he hated being late so you can thank him for this timed Eulogy.
Dad taught us all how to be a family and what it meant to be a family.  He was the best role model you could have.   He was always there for everyone, family, friends, colleagues or neighbours.  Indeed, we are sure he and James are once again putting things to rights as they always did when they met.   Dad was the life and soul of the party and always saw the bright side of life with a smile on his face.
He was born 22nd January 1938 in Mullindava, Co Monaghan to Charles and Bridget McAree.  He was the 6th child of 12.  He often spoke about his childhood in Ireland.  A memorable story was when he was told to stay home from school when the inspector came, which he did, but the inspector came on a different day when Dad was there. Dad was educated in life in common sense, family and Catholic values.  He was probably one of the most intelligent men we knew and his life knowledge and faith pales education certificates into irrelevance.
He moved to England and became a barman at The Wellington in the Strand, where he met our Mum, Chrissie, who worked there as a barmaid.  In October 1963, at his brother’s wedding, he made his romantic marriage proposal of “I guess it will be us next girl”.  In August 1964 they were married in Quex Road Church and soon after Dad left the pub trade and worked for British Rail and later, London Underground.  He often told us stories about how he was feared among the men he managed.  However, you could tell listening to the stories that they enjoyed working with him because he was firm but fair and treated everyone equally.  He could work out how to do things that would have educated engineers stumped.  It sounds minor but it is such a rare quality to be able to get that level of respect from those you worked with.  Getting stuck on the track and having to rest between 2 trains or him doing a job that no-one would touch; his stories came thick and fast and we never tired of hearing them.
We were all devasted when Mum died in 1993, at the early age of 48, but Dad was our rock and became Mum and Dad to all five of us.  His Catholic faith was always very important to him and during the months and years following Mum’s death it gave him great comfort through that difficult period.  He missed Mum so much and lovingly tended her grave and talked and prayed with her.  Whilst we miss them both we are taking comfort that they are now reunited.
Dad took early retirement after which he travelled extensively including trips to Turkey, Cyprus and Malta, following in St Paul’s footsteps.  He also visited family in the US, Canada and Australia.  He visited Lourdes a few times both with his family and as a pilgrimage with the HCPT.
To Dad the most important thing in his life was his family, both immediate and extended.  We were brought up surrounded by love and Mum and Dad taught us the important lessons of life and faith.  His expectations of good behaviour were extended to all, including his nieces and nephews, which led to our cousins in Mullindava fondly nicknamed him “The Cross Daddy”, although he very rarely raised his voice. Bryony made the mistake once of telling him that he wasn’t in charge in our house and that her mum, was in charge.  He responded by telling her that as my Dad he was in charge of me and therefore her.  She never made that mistake again!   
Dad loved his food and could not stand waste; any food left on your plate would be scooped up and ate by Dad.  Once on a visit to Canada he took food off Eilish’s plate, using his phantom fork and then said have you finished with that.  When she said no, he had to give it back. 
Another love of Dad’s was Gaelic football and during the Gaelic football season he would turn up at family events with his radio and would disappear to listen to the match, often at the bottom of someone’s garden.
Dad was a keen dancer, especially waltzing and jiving, despite having 2 left feet; pity his poor partner who would come back out of puff and with sore feet. 
He was well known around Harrow Weald as he walked many miles a day.  He started walking after being diagnosed with COPD as a therapy to keep things at bay.  If the weather was bad, that wouldn’t stop him, he would move the furniture and march up and down the house. 
Dad's love was unconditional and this is something we, his children and grandchildren, will cherish from his character – and take with us forever. He loved to be known to be tight with money, but the truth is his kindness and generosity will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He showed strength and love right up until his last days with us.   
As a family we would like to extend our thanks to everyone for their prayers, thoughtfulness and kindness in the last few weeks. There are too many people to name individually but we would like to say a special thank you to Betty for always being there for Dad; Barry for all his practical and emotional support, to Fran and the team @ Ryefield for making the last year of Dads life a happy one and the medical and nursing staff at Hillingdon Hospital for the outstanding care to Dad and us, his family,  in the last few weeks of his life.  And last but not least, a huge thank you to Dave, Lorrainne and Chris for your constant love and support, but especially during Dad’s last hospital stay, which meant we could spend precious time with Dad knowing you were there for us holding the fort.  Words cannot express our gratitude to you.
Dad was a humble man – I’ve no doubt he’s looking down on us here in amazement at how much he is loved and fondly remembered by so many people.
Rest in Peace Dad