Max Wall, 18, died in Ios, Greece, after becoming unwell as he was about to board a ferry on Sunday. Hours earlier, the body of Andrew O'Donnell, a fellow pupil at St Michael's College in south Dublin, was discovered on a rocky hill on the island.
Niall Wall said his son was"full of life" and"brightened the life of others"."Today marks the end of an eight-day journey for us that with the most profound cruelty has not only taken Max from us but has robbed him of a bright future."The most important thing about Max is that he simply was our fabulous son and we will love him forever."
He also offered his condolences to Mr O'Donnell's parents, Bebhinn and Gavin, revealing how they had formed"the closest of friendships" through their"nightmare" joint journey.Mr O'Donnell's funeral will take place at the same church on Wednesday. Mrs Wall read the poem Funeral Blues by W.H Auden before describing her"darling boy" as a"force of nature".Objects to represent Mr Wall's passions, including a Manchester United shirt emblazoned with his name, a signed Leinster rugby jersey and a pool cue, were placed at the front of the church.
His parents took religious symbols forward to represent his strong faith while his brother, Charlie, delivered a reading.St Michael's College chaplain, Fr Paddy Moran - who celebrated the graduation ceremony attended by Mr Wall, described the event as a"joyous occasion". Leading the funeral service, he told the congregation:"I looked out at this sea of faces ready to embark on the next stage of their lives as young adults - young, energetic men ready to take on the world.
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