THE GRIEF-STRICKEN uncle of two boys who lost their lives following a fire at their home in Cork told their funeral Mass at the weekend that heaven now had “two extra angels”.
“Calvin and Cian, we love you and miss you forever,” said Doug Punch, who struggled to hold back tears at a Mass of the Angels for the children on Saturday.
Calvin Ellard (4) and his brother Cian (2) died after sustaining injuries in the fire that broke out at the family home at Elm Park, Wilton, in the early hours of October 30th.
Their mother, Stacey Ellard, who was admitted to Cork University Hospital with injuries following the blaze, managed to attend the Mass for her sons at the Church of the Way of the Cross in Togher with her partner, Ricky Punch.
Fr Robert Brophy said the couple had been through a “horrendous nightmare” and described the last number of days as “a rollercoaster between hope and despair”.
“Words fail to capture the enormity and intensity of the pain you are now suffering,” he told the devastated parents.
He described Stacey’s recovery as “miraculous”.
The little boys were remembered as “great mates” who had brought much joy and love to their parents, families and friends.
A yellow truck, a football, a Manchester United jersey and a school photo of Calvin were among the gifts brought to the altar in celebration of their lives.
Members of the congregation choked back sobs as the two small white coffins were carried from the church at the end of the Mass to the strains of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.
Boys from Togher Boys National School, where Calvin was a pupil, formed a guard of honour.
The brothers were then taken for burial together at St Joseph’s Cemetery.
Firefighters using breathing apparatus had removed the boys and their mother from an upstairs bedroom after neighbours, who had smashed down a door and window of the house in an attempt to gain access, were driven back by thick smoke.
All three were unconscious at the scene and were taken to the hospital. Cian was pronounced dead shortly after admission and Calvin, who had just started school in September, died in the hospital’s intensive care unit on Wednesday.
It is believed the fire had started accidentally.