A memorial mass will be held in Ennis Co Clare tomorrow for an Irish-American family who perished in a fire at their home in New Jersey five weeks ago.
Originally from Clonroad in Ennis, Michael 'Hooper' Glynn (48), his American wife Heather (nee Martin) aged 42 and their 6-year-old daughter Tara died tragically in a fire at their home in Toms River, New Jersey on Saturday February 27th last. The family had moved to the area from Bayonne, New Jersey in 2006 after Michael emigrated to the US in the 80's.
Members of the local Eire Og GAA club will provide a guard-of-honour at Ennis Cathedral while hundreds of friends and locals are also expected to attend todays service.
Michael was an accomplished hurler and footballer and played for Eire Og in Ennis where his late father Christy was a former Chairman. John Glynn, a brother of Michael’s, travelled to Bayonne last month where the funerals of the three victims were held.
The family died following a ‘fast-moving’ fire at their Toms River home in the early hours of the morning. Michael’s body was discovered by police officers just inside the front door of the house while Heather was found in an upstairs bathroom. Young Tara was later discovered beneath a bed. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford later described the family's death as a "tremendous and shocking loss" for Toms River and confirmed that Police are not treating the deaths as suspicious. The medical examiner who carried out the post mortem examinations also confirmed that the three had died from toxic smoke inhalation.
Michael was employed as a maintenance worker by Duro Bag Manufacturing Company in Elizabeth, New Jersey where he was also a union shop-steward. Company human resources directors Damaris Gonzalez said Michael’s tragic death is "very hard" for the company. She added he was a "proud" father who always had a picture of his daughter Tara.
Michael is survived by his brothers Paul and John and sisters Mary, Ruth and Edel.
Following tomorrow's memorial service a burial of ashes ceremony will take place at Drumcliffe Cemetery in Ennis.