Family and friends say emotional farewell to Janis, who died following e-scooter accident
THE FUNERAL Mass of Janis Ghirghircic Ozols (17), Willow Park, Carlow, who died on 30 June following an e-scooter accident, took place at the Holy Family Church, Askea yesterday morning, Monday 6 July.
At the altar, friends and siblings placed a photograph and items that represented Janis’s life, including a jersey he loved and his electric hair clippers because he wanted to become a barber. They were all wearing white t-shirts with an image of Janis printed on them.
Fr Tom Little noted sadly that Janis and his friends had been in the church only weeks earlier for the Presentation College graduation Mass, having recently finished their Leaving Certificate exams. He added that Janis had “done well” in his Leaving Cert.
“We are sorry that we have come back so soon after the graduation Mass to be here today,” said Fr Little.
“I know that everybody here in the church and everybody in the town who heard about the sudden and sad death of Janis were deeply saddened and shocked.” Fr Little said that Janis’s passing had made national news and reflected on the safety of e-scooters.
“We also discovered that many other people have suffered terrible accidents from e-scooters. While the e-scooter in itself gives a great sense of freedom, a sense of exhilaration and being able to go from one place to another, it also has serious implications because of safety requirements. It is true that maybe the RSA should come together and make arrangements that e-scooters would become safer, maybe slow down a bit more, maybe wear clothing and a helmet, things that would be needed for the e-scooter.
“But there’s no doubt that Janis loved the freedom of the e-scooter and was able to share that with his friends.” Janis was known in his class in Presentation College for being easygoing, said Fr Little, adding that “he took life leisurely, as we should”.
“He was deeply loved by his family, each and every one of them. And he contributed hugely to the family by his kindness, by his endeavour and by the great love that he shared in so many ways with his talents and gifts at home. And I know that to his mum and to his stepfather Ingus and to his brothers and sister, his loss is certainly very difficult to cope with. And I want to extend to you our deep sympathy, as well as to his friends.”
Janis’s brother Roman and his friend Jayden gave the readings, while the Prayers of the Faithful were read by his siblings and friends. His friends Olaf and Jayden brought the gifts of bread and wine to the altar as was sung. was also performed, while and were sung during Communion.
In a brave and heartfelt eulogy, Janis’s brother Mark spoke about the immediate aftermath of the accident and thanked everyone who had helped and supported the family.
“Never a second did he spend alone. Janis had support coming from all around him: to the first man to witness and help Janis when he fell, to Garda Abby for reporting to the scene and the paramedics who rushed Janis to Kilkenny Hospital, we thank you all for your help as it gave us more time to spend with him. To the doctors and nurses and surgeons in both St Luke’s, Kilkenny and Beaumont, Dublin, we thank you for doing everything in your power to aid and save Janis, as well as Garda Abby for her support and aid to us when Janis was pronounced.
“To the funeral director, Pat, thank you for letting us spend a couple more nights with him. Thank you to the Murphy family and Centra for feeding us as we definitely forgot to feed ourselves. Contributions came from so many people.
“A special thank you to the organisers and the people who had donated to the GoFundMe. The help was honestly so substantial given such a short time to prepare for everything. Thank you, Father Little, as well for giving us your blessings and always looking after our family as well.
“To all of his friends, you all came to aid my mother and to comfort her in moments you yourselves were hurting as well. Thank you for giving us your strength.”
His friend Jayden delivered an emotional eulogy to Janis, known to his friends as ‘Chico’.
“To Chico, I’ll never forget the times we’ve had. I couldn’t say half the stuff or we’d be taken,” he said fondly in jest.
“No matter where I was, you were with me, all our adventures, travelling to different countries. You created unforgettable memories for me and everybody around us. I’ll miss you every second of the day. Everything comes back to you, Chico. I love you forever and always. I mean always.”
Janis’s aunt Angela delivered an emotional eulogy in Polish, which was met with a round of applause. She blessed herself at Janis’s coffin and leaned down to place a kiss on it before taking her seat.
was sung as Janis’s friends and family carried his coffin from the church. Janis was laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery, Carlow.
