By Paddy McCarthy
“Nollaig shona duit!” Merry Christmas, “I hope the magic of Christmas fills every corner of your heart and home with joy, now and always.” “Our family wishes you love, joy, and peace—today, tomorrow, and always.” “May your family have a holiday season that’s full of wonderful surprises, treats, and nonstop laughter.” Merry Christmas!
I know it is Christmas week but I have to start with the sad news of Ron Clifford, a great friend of mine, who passed away last Friday in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I was back and forth with Ron on Thursday and Friday last as he needed some information to help another friend of his who had a legal problem and I gave him the details he asked for. He was, together with his wife Bridget, on his way to spend the Christmas holidays in Los Angeles. The last contact I had with him was at 2.21 pm on Friday. I texted him again at 5.20 pm on Friday but got no response from him. Little did I know he had already died just before 5 pm.
Ron was originally from Ballintemple, Cork City. He was on the ground floor of the World Trade Center when the first of the 9/11 attacks occurred there. He survived uninjured. However, his 44-year-old sister Ruth Clifford McCourt and her four-year old daughter Juliana died on United Airlines Flight 175 which was flown into the south tower of the World Trade Center. Tragically, Juliana’s godmother, Paige Farley Hackel, was on the second aircraft – American Airlines Flight 11 – which smashed into the other tower.
Ron campaigned for many years to have those who masterminded the terrorist attacks brought to justice. In 2021 he told RTÉ News: “The justice system here has just prevented it and it’s just going around in a circle for years and years. I hope in our lifetime we will get our day in court.”
Describing how his family coped with their tragic losses, he continued: “The world has changed. The catastrophic event that we as a family have gone through – I think we have lived our lives since. I think that is the positivity that we give as a family.”
He was a very good friend of mine; may he “Rest in Peace” I did speak to Ron’s wife Bridget in Santa Fe on Saturday to give her my condolences. He will be in my prayers during the Christmas holy days.
I hope that you understand that I had to let my feelings out even though it is the most wonderful time of the year that I always look forward to as it it always the happiest and I know that Ron would say to me “Paddy go and enjoy yourself” and I will for him.
Now for some very happy news that another friend Mary O’Dowd has sent into me: “Dear Friends of Franny, Hope you are doing well and having a lovely holiday season. And thank you for helping to make this the best Christmas ever for Jimmy O’Neill and your generosity helped pay the mortgage for Mom and Dad.
“Brian O’Neill, father of Jimmy ‘The Crusher’ O’Neill wanted to say thanks and share with you that Jimmy was able to return to school this Monday, December 11th after a very long time enduring the cure for cancer.
“His school is fantastic and pulled out all the stops. We’ve been waiting for this day for such a long time. It’s hard to believe that Jimmy was diagnosed in the 3rd grade and is coming back to a new floor, with new teachers and classmates in the 6th grade. Once we got the all-clear from his doctors, he couldn’t get back in the classroom soon enough!
“He just turned 11 this Thursday. His older brother Tommy will be 13 in January and his sister Meghan is 9. They were both so happy to walk their brother into school Monday.
“This time last year, we were sitting in Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center getting daily transfusions and not making counts for chemo. It was a difficult 2023 for certain, but this year Jimmy’s back at school and feeling great. All of the many prayers are being heard and Jimmy is thankfully getting better by the day. We could not think of a better Christmas gift than a healthy Jimmy. As always, thank you, Mary and the Frances Pope Memorial Foundation for everything you have done for us. Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!”
Thank you, Mary that is just beautiful, and I know you have always done so much down the years helping kids of all ages, well done. Wishing you and your family and all your friends a very Happy Christmas.
Now I am sending you all a special greeting on behalf of The Irish Examiner USA staff to thank you all for the great support that you have giving us in 2023, to thank at you, our readers, friends and our advertisers. Because of you we are growing from strength to strength. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I hope to see you all when I am Out&About in 2024.
During this festive season, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your friendship and support. Wishing you a Merry Christmas filled with love, peace, and cherished moments. These two beautiful granddaughters of mine would also like to wish everybody a very Happy Christmas!