A County Tyrone man has died after falling from a balcony in New York.
Shane Quinn (39), from Coolkeeragh, near Drumquin, County Tyrone, fell to his death last Tuesday, while celebrating his 39th birthday with friends. His local parish priest, Father Kevin Mullan, told the press that Quinn’s parents, Patricia and Eamonn, are “broken” by the tragedy having lost their other son, Kevin, 12 years ago.
Mullan said “They are broken by the loss of the two boys. They are a quiet and good family and just need a little bit of support from neighbors who have been very good to them.
"It is bringing back memories of the earlier tragedy."
The deceased, a father-of-one, had been living in the United States since 2000. The last time he’d visited Ireland was for his brother’s funeral, Mullan told the Irish News.
Quinn is survived by his parents, his four remaining siblings, his son Ryan and his fiancée Jeanette O’Gorman, who is originally from County Wexford. The County Tyrone man left a job in Omagh’s RJ Smyth Engineering Ltd to move to Woodlawn, in The Bronx, in 2000.
On Sunday, back home in Drumquin, he was described as “a popular and much loved member of our community."
The Irish American community in New York has rallied to offer aid to Quinn’s family and held a four-hour wake celebrating his life on Saturday.
In an obituary posted on the Pelham Funeral home’s site reads:
“Wanting to seek out new opportunities; Shane left Ireland and moved to Woodlawn, New York, US in 2000. He would find work in the construction industry and create a life for himself with many friends.
“Shane was a kind and good-natured man. He cared deeply for his family and friends. One of his favorite pass times was watching soccer, especially his beloved Manchester United. An easygoing man, Shane was by all accounts very handsome. He could be often heard joking, "By God, I'm good looking". And indeed he was, inside and out.”
Quinn’s brothers, Aaron and Dermot, travelled to New York to make arrangements to bring his body him. He was buried on Monday, with his brother, in the cemetery adjoining St Patrick's Church, Langfield, Drumquin.
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