My brother, Patrick Gaynor, tragically died on Australia Day. I have taken time off recently as a result of his death. This is what I posted on my Facebook page shortly after Patrick’s death:
My brother, Patrick Gaynor, died in a tragic road accident on Australia Day. He was 24 years old and was serving in the Army as a Lieutenant, having graduated from RMC in June 2014.
Our family’s thoughts and prayers are with the other young man in the accident and we wish him all the best.
Patrick was loved by his parents, fiancée, 8 brothers and sisters, 23 nephews and nieces and many friends.
Patrick recently attended an Ignatian Retreat and went to Mass on the morning of Australia Day. He received the Last Rites at the scene of the accident.
Patrick was the most intensely good and just man that I ever met and we were all extremely proud of him.
Our family wishes to thank all those who have expressed their condolences. We ask for your prayers for Patrick and ourselves at this time.
Our family also wishes to thank all the Police and Ambulance personnel who attended the accident scene so swiftly. They did everything possible for Patrick, and for this we are all most grateful.
The photo above is that of Patrick on his graduation day from RMC, standing between his proud father and myself.
I would like to once again thank all the very many people who have offered their condolences or who have so generously supported my family and Patrick’s fiancée over the past few days.
I am now back at work and I have the words of my brother ringing in my ears. This is a comment he left on this webpage when I asked for help in early 2015:
Bern, God often makes you wait till the very last second before he moves to bring you out of trouble. The evil you face is not Gary Burns, he is simply an agent of the true enemy, it is not the Gay / Islamic / military / political muppet organisations, these are simply small groups used by the enemy to enact his chaos and disorder on the world and over turn the natural order and natural law laid down by God. The true enemy is a dark and intimidating enemy indeed that would make you think he has everything in his control. And you could almost say he does, but for one thing. He is still subject to the authority of God. He has shaped up against Him before and was smashed.
Stay true to the task set before you Bern and God will not forget you. He saw the Templars victorious in many battles against the Turks, He saw the Catholics through the great battle of Lepanto, He will see you through this as well. You just have to trust Him. Keep up the good work, direct all glory to God and things will work themselves out.
My brother Patrick on his graduation from Duntroon in 2014.
February 16, 2016
Very sorry to hear that Bern. Please accept my sincere condolences
February 16, 2016
What a wonderful Godly young man your brother Patrick is Bernard, now safely with the Lord.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us”. Hebrews 12:1 KJV Alistair & Helen
February 16, 2016
Bernard, what a beautiful brother you had here on earth and will continue to have in the Lord. I see him as representing the whole Gaynor family in seeking truth and its outworking into a society which desperately needs Him who is the Truth.
My words may not lessen the depth of grieving which you and your whole family must be experiencing, but please be encouraged by all the support which is coming towards you on this Comments page. Please, for our sake, for society’s sake, and for Patrick’s sake, continue the fight you have embarked upon. The purposes of the prince of this world is suffering damage so that those of the Lord of the Universe will prevail, as we know it ultimately will.
As Patrick wrote,”Stay true to the task set before you Bern and God will not forget you.”
February 15, 2016
Condolences to you and all your family.
February 14, 2016
Bernard, your brother’s words are truly inspirational! There are days when I feel a sense of despair for this country . . .and then along comes someone like your Patrick, and restores me profoundly!
Thank you so much for posting his last thoughts! I shall remember them always and hang on to them for comfort, in knowing that our awesome G-d watches over us and works in mysterious ways. Even in my darkest hours, my belief in Him never wavers!
Patrick has done his duty on earth, now he is safe in G-d’s loving hands. Nothing and nobody can ever hurt him again! May he rest in perfect peace until we all meet again!
Best wishes to you Bernard, in the hard road ahead. Just remember, there are more people behind you than you know! There are many of us who see you as a Knight in shining armour!
May G-d bless you and keep you and your family safe as you continue to do His work!
Cheers
Claude
February 13, 2016
Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon him
May he rest in peace. Amen.
Sympathy and prayers for all the Gaynor family at this time,
May Our Lord give you comfort and strength.
February 12, 2016
So sad for you and all your family, what a lovely legacy and encouraging words from Patrick.
The clouds will clear soon and the Son will shine as we go forward in the light of fighting for the right to justice.
God Bless you all heaps
Tessa
February 11, 2016
Bernard, may your brother rest in peace and may the almighty God remember him on the day of the resurrection. Stay strong. You can achieve everything that is just through the Lord.
February 11, 2016
Dear Bernard, my sincere condolences to you for the loss of your beloved brother. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Your brother’s words are an encouragement for us all in this fight.
February 11, 2016
Very sorry for your loss
February 11, 2016
Dearest Bernard, your Dad, your Mum, your brothers and sisters and your whole family! My prayers and loving thoughts are with you all, asking Almighty God to comfort and console you in your grief and to heal your broken hearts. Having now read Patrick’s words and seen his picture, I know that a young saint was living
amongst us. God brought him early to his reward – he
took back the gift. I burn a candle daily for the repose of the soul of your beloved brother – next to the Holy Card of St. Patrick and I say the prayer of St. Patrick for him and us all every morning – the Breastplate of St. Patrick. It is a most fitting prayer now for you, our dear Bernard, in your battle for Righteousness in this war for souls. Sincere condolences and Christian love – Eirene xxx
February 11, 2016
Your brother words were strong and true. What a wonderful legacy for you. In our prayers.
February 10, 2016
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. I read your blogs and want to thank you for your braveness to take on the issues that you have.
February 10, 2016
My condolences Bernard for you and your family’s loss. Some big shoes to fill there mate!
February 9, 2016
Thanks for sharing Patrick’s words, Bernard. It is very moving to read something so powerfully insightful from one so young – but equally encouraging. He was a true soldier of Christ, and steadfast in his love for his family, and his love for God. I only wish I’d known him better.
February 9, 2016
Hi Bernard, you dont know me, I dont even live in Queensland. I was very saddened by your loss. I have missed your emails and watch for them daily. You are a great encouragement and inspiration. You are a bright light shining in these alarming and dark times. I pray you are strengthened daily, protected by our Lord and saviour.
February 9, 2016
Hi Bernard, we were so sorry to hear of the recent loss of your brother- even though you know he is with God, it is still hard for the family who are missing their loved one. I have some idea of what you are going through as I lost my only brother some years ago, and will always miss him. We will continue to pray for you and your family- keep up the good fight and run the race till you reach the finish line!
Eddie and Bev Vanderzee.
February 9, 2016
Extremely moving and a timely reminder of the One who holds all things together. Thank you for sharing. This has moved me greatly. My mum spoke words to me in her last weeks of life that now when I read them again to myself, I see how truly near to heaven she was… your brother’s words now have a heavenly weight as well.
Life is such a gift, we strain and struggle now to see that all enjoy the gift. But how I look forward to life to come without the pain of these goodbyes.
February 9, 2016
Thankyou so much for sharing this with us Bern. These words confirm the character we all knew in Pat, for Pat never left anyone in doubt of his beliefs. They are beautiful and wholesome sentiments that we can all benefit from. May Pat help us all in our fight against the true enemy and his various agents.