A Carrick-on-Shannon tinsmith and Traveller, who has over 1,200 great-grandchildren, was deeply admired, greatly respected, and lovingly cherished.
That’s according to local parish priest Fr Frank Garvey, speaking at Tom Stokes' funeral Mass in St Mary's Church in Carrick this afternoon.
The 88-year-old died on Tuesday, and he’s being laid to rest in St Mary's Cemetery in Carrick this afternoon.
Family members brought gifts to the altar to symbolise his loves in life, including a hat, a photo of a horse and carriage, and rosary beads - as he was a daily Mass-goer.
Fr Garvey paid tribute to him during his homily:
Fr Garvey noted how Tom has 19 children, 142 grandchildren, 1,232 great-grandchildren and 62 great-great-grandchildren.
He noted how his married life started in a humble way:
