The following eulogy was prepared by all the family, and read by son-in-law, Jim, at Tommy's funeral, 16 May 2008... Tommy Deeny was born in 1932 in Dungiven, Co. Derry, son of Arthur and Teresa, brother to Jim, Rose, Susie and Michael. His parents owned a farm, and Tommy loved the farm. He loved the animals, the countryside and the whole way of life on the farm. However when Tommy was just 9 years old his Dad passed away suddenly, leaving the young family to cope with grief and financial hardship. When Tommy's Dad died, the farm died, and when he was 15, his Mum finally had to sell the land. Tommy had only a basic education and became a working lad with no trade. However he had joy from the music he loved. He played a button accordion, and later the saxophone in the Mayfair Dance Band. Their music was a wee bit of rock and roll, ballroom, Latin American and Irish Ceili music. He loved to play Joe Loss’ “In The Mood” at dances. He was fond of “Danny Boy”, and “The Mountains of Mourne”. He also played bagpipes in a pipe band. Tommy loved to dance. When he wasn't playing in the band he would go dancing. Time moved on, and Tommy reached the age of 25 at which time there were difficulties with employment in the area. And so it was that in May 1957 Tommy stood on the dockside at the Broomielaw in Glasgow with just £8 in his pocket. One night in July of that year, at a dance in St Luke's Parish, Tommy met Ellen Rickis, a local girl from the Gorbals. Tommy said about the night: "There were plenty of Irish Colleens there, but none of them had a chance after I met Ellen!" Tommy always said that he made the best decision of his life when he married Ellen two years later. They had seven children all here today, with their spouses and sixteen grandchildren. So what qualities do his family want Tommy remembered by from the almost 50 years we have known him? He had a great love of family. He gifted his children with a firm sense of being valued which has stood them in good stead in life. He opened his heart and home as his family grew. He loved to have family around, and right to the end, when he showed interest in little else, he would light up at the sight of his grandchildren. The example of faithfulness and commitment in marriage to Ellen through life's ups and downs is a huge legacy he has left for us, which has taught us so much. One of the most precious gifts to his family was the example of faith he gave, together with Ellen. Taking the example of daily prayer from his own father, he demonstrated this to his children and frequently led his young family in prayer. Right to the end, though barely able to communicate, he earnestly got the message over to us that he wanted us to pray, pray, pray together. He did all this without compromising his values or imposing them on others. Tommy showed perseverance. Through several illnesses late in life, he became known as “the Comeback Kid” This was also tribute to the quality of care Ellen consistently gave him. Tommy valued education, and consistently encouraged his children to perform to the best of their abilities and make the most of life's opportunities, which he sacrificed to provide for us. Tommy was a humble hard-working man. He never thought himself better than others. He took nothing for granted. Since at age 9 he lost so much, he learned to appreciate everything he had. His wants were few. Tommy believed in enjoying life. He carried his love of both music and dancing through life, and would be keen to be on the dance floor. Many a time even against their preferences, his children were encouraged onto the dance floor promptly too. He was down-to-earth, and passionately lived the highs and lows as a supporter of his beloved Celtic Football Team, and late into his final illness this was still a welcome distraction to him. Tommy was human. He had a spark, and showed his emotions. He had his quirks too. One of these was his love of eating onion sandwiches - often at midnight. Perhaps with some mustard or horseradish relish on top. Tommy's pleasure, Ellen's displeasure. He used to eat them more often when Ellen was on night shift. This was much to Ellen's dismay because she would have to sleep in the room the next day. One night he had a garlic sandwich instead. Colin got up for Mass the next morning, it being Sunday, and met the most incredible smell in the living room. He immediately opened all three windows - WIDE. NO time wasted. Tommy, who was reading the newspaper, complained that it was too cold and asked him to shut them, as he couldn't smell anything. Pauline eventually realised that her Dad had eaten a whole garlic bulb in a sandwich. There was a mighty powerful odour of the stuff in the room. Anyway, being a good Catholic man he did not want to miss Mass. So after rigorous teeth-brushing, and mouth-washing, he set off to St Brigid's Church. A few of his family went too, and formed a sort of ring around him, not all sitting in the same row, so as to protect the other parishioners. It was a long Mass... Afterwards Tommy was stopped outside for a quick chat with a Donegal man. The man asked Tommy if he could smell something strange - a kind of "wild smell of carbine"... Tommy Deeny was much loved. He was Ellen's husband for 49 years. He was Dad, he was Father-in-law, he was Granpa, and he will be greatly missed by us all.