A 55-yr-old man from Galway whose remains were discovered last month — 15 months after he was first reported missing — has been remembered during his funeral service as a kind and compassionate man with a “wicked” sense of humour, reports The Mirror.
Ray Hosty, originally from Mervue, was reported missing in Headford, Co Galway on April 1, 2024. His disappearance sparked a large-scale search effort and numerous public appeals for help by gardaí.
His remains were recovered and returned to his family on June 21. A funeral service in honour of Ray was held this afternoon in his hometown of Mervue, reports The Mirror.
Speaking to those gathered, his sister Martina shared her “immense gratitude” for the support shown to the family during the difficult 15 months since Ray went missing.
“You brought us great comfort in an unbearable situation,” she said, reports The Mirror.
She extended thanks to the Coast Guard, Civil Defence, and the Garda Water Unit, and offered heartfelt appreciation to Garda Mark Kerrisk, whom she said had gone “above and beyond the call of duty” during the search.
“To you, Mark, we express our deepest gratitude for your outstanding compassion and support. You not only showed true professionalism but extraordinary humanity, providing us with comfort in what has been the most awful time of our lives,” she said, reports The Mirror.
Martina described Ray as “a very private and very quiet man,” but said those who knew him understood he was a true gentleman — “kind, compassionate, and also with a wicked sense of humour”.
“It’s impossible to make sense of a loss like this,” she continued. “Suicide brings with it questions we can’t always answer. Mental health is complex and Ray obviously fought many battles that many of us never saw or understood,” reports The Mirror.
“And while his journey ended too soon, how it ended does not define him,” she added. “If we can honour Ray here today, let it be by taking care of each other, to talk more, to judge less, to be more compassionate, to be more understanding, and to reach out to those who may need it,” reports The Mirror.
“To Ray,I hope you have now found peace, the peace that escaped you here. We will never forget you, and we will always love and miss you. Rest easy,” reports The Mirror.
Martina also took a moment to remember those with missing family members still waiting for answers. “We acknowledge your pain and continue to keep you in our prayers,” she said.
Ray is predeceased by his father Eamonn. He is survived by his mother Rita, siblings John, Martina, Eddie, Fiona, and Paula, along with his extended family and many friends, reports The Mirror.
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