Trying to ensure the safety of school children in his care, Keady man John McSorley has been praised for his actions at his funeral Mass, where he was described as “a careful, diligent bus driver” who “took great pride in his work”.
Father-of-five Mr McSorley had been driving along the Tullyah Road, between Newtownhamilton and Belleeks, on Tuesday afternoon.
A valued employee of Quinn Coaches, it is understood the 56-year-old took unwell while driving and sadly passed away at the scene.
Mr McSorley had been ferrying 40 pupils of St Paul’s High School in Bessbrook when his bus was involved in a collision.
Those young people were remembered and thanked during a very fitting Mass at St Patrick’s Church in Keady on Sunday morning, the first Sunday of Lent.
Fr Sean O’Neill said: “This morning, celebrating the funeral mass for John, we are reminded all too clearly that our days on this earth are not guaranteed. The moment of our leave taking can come suddenly and unexpectedly. Into the ordinary and every day, we have been visited by tragedy. It leaves us shocked, without any warning, a chance to prepare ourselves.
“In the space of a moment all is changed. Nothing can prepare us for something like this or then save us from the painful effects.
“As we focus on the 40 days of Lent, our minds are drawn to the 40 school children that travelled on the bus last Tuesday with John. And as we pray for them, we pray in Thanksgiving that none of them were seriously injured. Or indeed, as we listen to the gospel this morning, where it talks about the angels, appeared and looked after Him, speaks for itself. So we thank them.”
Fr O’Neill referenced the second reading of the Mass, where it said “the good act of one man brings everyone life”.
He added: “We are mindful. We are thankful that John did what he could in those moments to ensure that that was the case. Those were his last actions on this earth. And as colleagues and those who knew him testified, he was a careful, diligent bus driver. He took great pride in his work. He carried it out with perfection.”
This, said Fr O’Neill, was a trait which was seen in “many of the duties he undertook, be it in his earlier days as a painter, or the enjoyment he took from spending time on the farm, working with the animals”.
Fr O’Neill continued: “He was also very musical, turning his hand to the guitar, the fiddle, the drums and even the triangle. But as we know, music has a way of speaking to our hearts, to our souls. It has a way of expressing what words cannot. The quote says, ‘music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life’.
“ And in a world that can move so quickly, John took to heart the words of scripture, ‘Honour your father and your mother’. He looked after his parents in their later years. That was needed and that was appreciated.
“And we recall also that he always carried a medal of Saint Martha. Martha, in the Gospel, is known for practical and hands-on service, she who made the straightforward profession of faith, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ’. And her prayer, ‘St Martha, pray for us that we might serve Jesus better. Help us to overcome our distractions and worries, to listen to His words, and be present to Him. This and all days’.
“None of us know how our days unfold. That is why we are called to live each day with as much love and compassion as we can, to do this guided by our faith and the principles and the values that our faith places before us.”
In the Prayers for the Faithful, remembered were the “victims of road traffic accidents, those who have lost their lives and those whose lives were spared”. Thanks was offered for the “emergency service personnel and school students who tended to John in his final moments”, praying that they be “rewarded for the responsiveness and care”. Prayer was offered for “those who mourn, especially John’s family, friends and workmates” and to those who had passed before.
Items to remember and represent John McSorley were placed before the altar – musical instruments “representing John’s great love of music, and his gift for playing many instruments”; a model bus and Quinn Coaches uniform, to “represent his life as a professional driver”, who was “skilled and qualified to drive many kinds of vehicles and took great pride in his work”; along with photographs, to “represent the people precious to John, both living and deceased”.
Fr O’Neill said: “It is to the mercy of God that we commend John today, and just as the Paschal Candle burned at his baptism, in July 1969, 10 days after his birth, when his parents, Anthony and Jesse carried him to the font, so the Paschal Candle burns once more near to him.
“We ask that our prayers help to carry him to the fulness of God’s kingdom, to his parents, to his brother, and to all the faithful departed.”
Mr McSorley, who was laid to rest after Mass in the adjoining cemetery, was the dearly beloved son of the late Anthony and Jesse and brother of the late Liam, father to Darren, Rose, Grace, Jack and Faith, and brother to Elizabeth, Maura, Deirdre, Philomena, Barbara, Antoinette, Jessica, Sheila, Hugh and Stephen.
To his children and siblings, and to all of the extended family, his many friends and colleagues, deepest sympathy is extended at this time.
May he Rest in Peace.
