Noel Ryan's family pays tribute to the former Westmeath business man who died swimming in Malta.
A Westmeath man who lost his life while swimming in Malta, is being remembered as a "charasmatic, caring, witty, and loveable rouge".
Athlone's Noel Ryan, who passed away last Tuesday, is being laid to rest in Coosan Cemetery today.
Mr Ryan's brother, Father Aiden, presided over his funeral mass this afternoon, while Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, originally from Castletown Geoghegan, was in attendance as well.
His three grandchildren carried symbols of his life to the alter, including a rugby ball, a Connacht flag, and a measuring tape which he would always have worn around his neck in work.
Mr Ryan was well known in the community as being the man behind Ryan's Clothes Shop on Mardyke street.
His daughter Sinead says he had a special way with people:
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