Patrick (Pakie) Green : An Appreciation

This photo was taking the day the Peace Bridge was officially opened by John Hume. Pakie was the first ‘unofficial wheelchair user’ over it that morning.

Pakie was an able bodied child until the age of 12. Through no fault of his own Pakie became wheelchair bound at this age. This did not stop Pakie! His love of all the sports was evident when he joined St Eugene’s boys club. Pakie had a keen interest in pool and despite having limited mobility on one side of his body he became an excellent pool player!

Pakie loved boxing, the majority of his friends went on to become boxers. Pakie’s best friend at school was Billy McIntyre - he was also a boxer. Pakie loved to watch him compete in competitions. Billy went on to become an Irish champion. Pakie spoke fondly of these memories right up until he passed away.

During the Troubles, Pakie set up a club with the help of some of his friends. This club was situated behind the Bog Inn. Pakie’s intentions was to keep the children off the streets and give them an interest in different sports just like he had when he attended at Eugene’s boys club.

There was no funding in those days so Pakie depended on donations from different local businesses

In later like Pakie became a big Celtic Swifts fan, never missing a game or the pints afterwards!

His quick wit and dry sense of humour made him very popular amongst the team and other fans and kept them on their toes! Even towards the end of his like Pakie’s health deteriorated but his passion for these sports remained strong.

Pakie passed away peacefully with his sister Margaret by his side. Margaret spent most of her life looking after Pakie, a promise she made to her mother before she passed many years ago.

Pakie was loved so much by all his friends and family especially all his nieces and nephews!

Pakie is survived by his sisters Vonnie, Kathleen & Margaret and brothers Gerard & Phillip.

I have written this piece not only to acknowledge my very dear friend Pakie but over the past few weeks a lot of people have passed away and no wake or proper funeral has taken place. No doubt this will have an adverse affect on people.

These people are not just numbers, nor was Pakie.

Pakie was an amazing person who overcame so much in his life. He was a much loved son, brother and uncle but he was also my very dear friend who I will miss immensely.

R.I.P Pakie,

Damien Mc Dermott.