A Co Waterford man who died after falling down a gully at a Bulgarian ski resort was given a last farewell on Saturday. He was a “vibrant, special, and warm” son, brother, and friend, reports The Mirror.
Nearly two weeks ago, Aidan “Aido” Bergin, 29, of Kylemore, Clonea, Dungarvan, Waterford, suffered severe injuries in a strange accident close to the Todorka mountain peak in Bulgaria.
According to preliminary information, he was part of a group snapping pictures when he lost his balance and fell from a height of around 600 meters, according to the Bulgarian Red Cross, reports The Mirror.
Emergency services raced to the location after being notified of the incident around 2:30 p.m. local time. The next day, Mr. Bergin passed away in the Razlog hospital.
During Saturday morning’s funeral, a six-piece traditional band, accompanied by a pianist and a female vocalist, filled the air with music as many pallbearers carried Mr. Bergin’s wicker casket into St. Augustine’s Church in Abbeyside, Dungarvan, reports The Mirror.
Parish priest and celebrant Fr. Ned Hassett greeted the mourners, saying that although everyone had gathered for a “awful, awful occasion,” they should all concentrate on “Aidan’s many gifts and talents.”
Niall, his companion, presented the gathering with tokens of the young man’s “gentle soul and life.” He highlighted how Aidan’s passport showed that he was an adventurous person who welcomed every adventure with joy and an open mind, creating a wealth of memories and stories, reports The Mirror.
According to Niall, one of his favourite albums that influenced who he was was Florence and the Machine. He also loved the piano, which was as lively, unique, and cosy as Aidan.
The fact that Aidan was constantly pushing himself since he was never off the clock was symbolised with a Marketing Person of the Year Award. He enjoyed snapping pictures of the goods he promoted on store shelves, and his efforts won him the respect and affection of everyone around him, reports The Mirror.
Additionally, a Claddagh ring scarf—a symbol of his love, life, friendship, and optimism—was brought to the altar.
Aidan’s ability to make others feel welcome and never excluded was a gift, and his recent half marathon gold in Rome was a perfect example of how “so fast people failed to keep up with everything in life that he did,” reports The Mirror.
The young man’s siblings Patrick and Eoghan, sister Niamh, lover Niall, and parents Joe and Máire survive him.
Joe, his father, said how a phone call he and Maura got on Tuesday, January 28 while travelling to Cork “changed our lives forever.
“We don’t know what to say but what we want to say is thank you sincerely,” he said, reports The Mirror.
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