A hugely popular and respected Kilkenny clergyman who suffered horrific injuries in a fall at his home in his adopted Bermuda has passed away after a brave battle for dear life.
Sadly, despite top class rehab and care, he has died in the United States.
Canon Norman Lynas was Dean of Ossory at St Canice’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Kilkenny City from 1991 to 2009.
He made a huge impact in an adopted city both he and his wife loved dearly.
He was deeply involved in many aspects of church life and was also a highly respected referee and coach in the game of rugby.
Dean Norman was transferred to a new ecclesiastical post with the Anglican Church of Bermuda.
Along with his wife Nicola, he moved lock, stock and barrel to a challenge that both relished.
DIED SUDDENLY AFTER SIX MONTHS
Sadly, wonderfully warm, outgoing and devoted wife Nicola became ill and passed away suddenly some six months after arriving in Bermuda.
Then in a freak fall on a stairway, Canon Norman suffered a severe neck and spinal cord injury and was paralysed from the neck down.
He was rushed to King Edward Memorial Hospital, Bermuda and then airlifted to Lahey Hospital near Boston, Massachusetts where he received expert medical care.
Canon Norman was a priest for 40 years, in Bermuda, Northern Ireland and Kilkenny City.
He was admired and respected during his years of ministry in Kilkenny where, as an ecumenist, kind, caring and friendly pastor, he made many friends of all denominations.
Norman and Nicola are survived by their loving sons Tristan, a solicitor in Kilkenny and Adam, a bank official, and extended family.
ARMY OF FRIENDS IN KILKENNY
There was huge family support for Canon Norman on his rehab programme and also from an army of friends in Kilkenny who hoped and prayed for his recovery.
Those privileged to be friends and admirers of a beautifully devoted and friendly couple will always cherish memories of wonderful days in Kilkenny City and at St Canice’s Cathedral in particular.
As friends, with my colleague and pal in journalism, Seán Hurley, former Editor of the Kilkenny People, it was my pleasure to chat with and enjoy the company of Nicola and Norman at the then Phelan’s Bar, Parliament Street, owned by Tom Brennan.
We met for a drink as the move to Bermuda beckoned.
Typically of Nicola, it was not a farewell celebration but a reminder that herself and Norman would be back again to renew friendships.
It was not to be.
But friendship there will always be and everyone will be there in spirit.
