Tributes paid to ‘bus driving legend’, Pat Gorman, RIP

As the news broke last Wednesday week, heartfelt messages of sympathy and loss started rolling in. Pat Gorman, Corcloon, Milltownpass, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at Mullingar Regional Hospital, after taking ill. Pat, a highly popular Bus Éireann driver based in Mullingar, worked for the company for the last 25 years. Pat began on the ‘120’ Edenderry route before transferring to the ‘115’ Mullingar to Dublin route in later years.

His untimely passing has caused widespread shock, disbelief and sadness among his work colleagues, family and friends in Mullingar, Milltownpass and further afield. A long list of tributes have been paid to Pat by his work colleagues and friends.

Lynn Cullen, Bus Éireann management, said: “Shock waves are traveling across our network of drivers and work colleagues.” She described Pat as the “kindest” and one of the “most dedicated bus drivers in Ireland”. He was loved by everyone, she said.

“We often get calls from passengers complementing our drivers, but Pat’s name would always light up the board for his helpfulness and kindness to passengers. He was really one in a million.”

John McIntyre, training manager, said: “I knew Pat for the best part of 30 years, it is a very sad day. Pat’s unexpected passing is so tragic, it’s affecting everyone here in Bus Éireann. Pat was a loyal and trusted friend, we all loved Pat.” Other members of Bus Éireann management, John Hegarty, Simon Byrne and Liam Fitzgerald, described Pat as a man you called a best friend. “He lit up a room just by being there. We always looked forward to him dropping in for a chat, he had a way to light up the room on the darkest of days with his great stories and hearty laugh. We are totally devastated.”

Pat Doyle and Dominick McDonagh, operations managers for the Mullingar depot, said: “We are all part of one big family here in Bus Éireann. Our world has been shattered. Pat was a brilliant character. He had time for everyone. His big hearty laugh and funny twist on life will never be forgotten. We are doing everything we can to support our colleagues here in Mullingar depot at this very sad time. The shock still hasn’t sunk in.”

Work colleagues and fellow drivers in Mullingar depot paid tribute to Pat saying, “words cannot express the sad news we have received. He was a very well-liked driver and a good friend to all, his work mates are in bits”; he was the “kindest” and “most decent guy you could meet”; Pat “will be forever missed – we are heartbroken. Everyone here had a good word for him, he would “light up the place with his laughter and unending wit”.

Kieran Hurst said: “On your own here at 5 o’clock in the morning the depot can be a lonely place, then Pat would arrive and the eerie silence would break with the sound of laughter heard across Mullingar, a great character, a friend we will miss dearly.

Alex Frim: “I knew Pat for the last five years, as a young driver starting out, he took me under his wing from the first day, he was a continuous support to me until I found my feet, We would chat on the phone every day. He had your back and was always looking out for me and any new drivers to the yard. I miss him so much my heart breaks, he was a legend.”

Kevin Walsh: “I am completely lost for words, I’m expecting to meet him on the road every day, his big smile and flowery wave were Pat’s trademarks. He was a pure gentleman in every sense of the word. I will never forget him, a true friend taken far to soon. I’m still waiting for him to come through the gate and then I can wake up from this bad dream. We are completely devastated.

Peter O’Reilly: “You couldn’t fail to notice Pat was around, he would light up the place; he was so uplifting and a good friend to all his work colleagues.”

Mick Doherty: Pat was a “brilliant character and very well respected by passengers” – “if someone got on the bus in bad form, he would brighten their day. I can’t get over it, the whole community is in shock.”

James Cunningham: “Pat’s passing is just a huge tragedy. Everybody is traumatised and shocked by the news, a good man gone too young.”

James Byrne: “Pat and myself were great friends, we could talk for hours about classic cars, he had a passion for old Volvos and loved to take his car out at any opportunity. This is a fierce blow. I can’t get over him not being around. He will be greatly missed by his family and the wider community of Milltownpass.”

Paul Holohan: “This is the worst possible news, I knew Pat for many years, we started out driving buses at the same time. Pat was a pure gentleman, he never stressed out and had a good word for everyone. My thoughts are with his family, it hard to believe he’s gone.”

John Griffin: “Pat was great fun, he would always make time to chat no matter how big of a rush he was in. Pat was just a lovely gentleman. May he rest in peace.

Joe Kincaid: “Pat was the heart and soul of the depot. We’re all shocked at this sudden and tragic loss of one of our work colleagues. Pat was a quiet man, even tempered. His passengers loved him, he had a great way about him, we all cared a great deal about him, he will be so greatly missed.”

Caroline Connolly: “Pat, you were a legend, the best craic, always a happy face and a hearty laugh, mad as a bag of frogs! Deeply missed by everyone, especially your pals at Bus Éireann. It was a pleasure to know you and work with you.”

Pat’s family thanked his friends and the public: “The sudden and tragic loss of dear Pat is something we’ll struggle with for many years to come, probably forever. The support received from family, friends, neighbours, Pat’s Bus Éireann colleagues and passengers is a huge comfort to us at this difficult time. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all. The incredible outpouring of affection for Pat, contained within the pages of condolences on RIP.ie are a testament to the wonderful person he was.”.

Pat reposed at his home and was laid to rest after his funeral Mass in St Joseph’s Church, Milltownpass on Sunday week last. May his gentle soul rest in peace.