Michael Gaine was today remembered as “soft and loving, caring and affectionate, kind and considerate.”
The 56-year-old farmer, mourners heard at his funeral in Kerry, was unafraid to show his emotions.
In a tribute read on behalf of the family by his cousin Eoghan Clarke, he was also described as “brave, fearless and strong.”
The tribute was delivered after Janice Gaine and other members of the farmer’s family arrived with Mr Gaine’s ashes, cradled in a sheepskin-lined basket and carried into Holy Cross Church, Kenmare.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Clarke said: “Micheal was a proud man, a proud Kerry man, and an even prouder Kenmare man.
“While I can’t even scratch the surface of all the lovely stories that his sisters, nieces and nephews will have of Micheal, I know he was always delighted to spend time and to share his interests with him.
“Micheal meant so much to so many people, and I’d ask that everyone thinks of their favourite memories of Michael, and to hold those happy memories in your mind.”
He spoke of Mr Gaine’s broad interests, including rallying, farming, current affairs, holidays to faraway exotic places, Done Deal, and “all music — even opera.”
He said: “Michael was generous, incredibly generous.
“He had time for everyone and would chip in to help anytime and any place.
“Michael seemed to always find the time to do the work of three men on his own farm, help out friends, family and neighbours, keep up to speed on current affairs and enjoy himself.
“He loved life. He always made the most of it, and he truly lived every single moment.
“He always had the iconic twinkle in his eye – the ‘I’m delighted to see you’, ‘I’m in great form’ and ‘Let’s go and enjoy ourselves’ glint in his eye.”
Mr Clarke added: “Mike, by virtue of an incredible character, attracted a lot of good people into his life.
“He had a photographic memory for facts, faces, places and words, and personally, this was always one of the most fascinating things to me about Micheal, the ability to put in a full day’s shift on the farm and then to chat about politics, world events, economic developments while Being fully up to speed on all of them.
“In Janice’s own words, Michael was a true man. He was soft and loving, caring and affectionate, kind and considerate. He was not afraid to show his emotions.
“He was also brave, fearless and strong.
“He was strong mentally. And as anyone who ever tried to follow him up the mountain in wellies will know, he was strong physically, too.”
Mementos of his life were brought up later, including a photograph of him on his quad bike with his faithful Cavalier dog, Teddy.
Other symbols included a photo of him on holiday, representing his travels to Taiwan, Australia, and the US; a globe, reflecting his interest in current affairs; and a CD, symbolising his love for all kinds of music, including opera.
Mourners heard he was a fan of The Mamas and the Papas, blues artist Seasick Steve, and Fleetwood Mac.
Friend Shane McCarthy brought up his rally helmet, while brother-in-law Sean O’Regan presented a photo of Mr Gaine in his rally car.
Celebrant Father George Hayes said during his homily that it was important now to remember Michael Gaine for how he lived, not how he died.
He said: “Over the weeks since Michael went missing, we’ve asked so many questions, and in life, sometimes there are no answers.
“But in the best tradition of Irish funerals, today is a day for recovering the dignity of Michael Gaine.
“Today we recover Michael’s dignity, because today we speak Michael’s name with love, and it is the dignity of Michael’s life — and not the manner of Michael’s death — that will abide in our hearts.”
After the service, Mr Gaine’s widow Janice led his family down the church aisle, holding the basket with his urn.
She then passed his ashes to funeral director John Finnegan, who walked to Mr Gaine’s white, recently restored rally car parked behind the hearse, and placed the basket in the front passenger seat.
The hearse, with Janice inside, led the funeral procession from the churchyard, followed by the rally car driven by his friend Shane McCarthy.
His tractor also joined the cortege, driven by another friend, DJ Neil.
The procession wound slowly through the town, passing Main Street, Shelbourne Street, Henry Street, the Square, and Park Street, pausing briefly outside his former home on Railway Road.
He was then taken to a private family burial.
Mr Gaine was last seen alive on March 20, buying phone credit at Centra in Kenmare.
The missing person search became a murder investigation on May 16, after a contractor found a piece of human tissue while spreading slurry on Mr Gaine’s farm.
The man, who had worked with the Gaine family for years, discovered the remains after his machinery jammed. The farm was sealed off and declared a murder scene.
Michael Kelley, who lived on Mr Gaine’s farm for three years, was arrested on May 18.
Although he was questioned at length in Killarney Garda Station, he was later released without charge and no file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Kelley has since confirmed he was a suspect and has publicly denied any involvement in Mr Gaine’s death.
In a separate interview, he said he had not been invited to the funeral and chose to stay away.
