Funeral of couple who died in Crossbarry fire takes place today

The funeral will take place today of the couple in their 70s who died in a house fire in West Cork last Tuesday morning.

Willie Hawkes and Geraldine Sullivan Hawkes were in their home in Raheen, near Crossbarry, when a fire broke out before 7am on Tuesday morning. Willie was well known in farming circles, having worked until recent years in milk recording with Munster Bovine, while Geraldine, who was known as Tina, had trained and worked as a midwife at the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork. A talented patch worker and quilter, she gave sewing classes in Knockavilla parish.

It is believed that Willie had escaped the burning building but had returned in an attempt to save Tina.

They lay in repose at Crowley’s Funeral Home in Ballincollig yesterday and requiem mass will take place at 12 noon today in St Patrick’s Church, Knockavilla, with the funeral afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

They are survived by Willie’s brothers Michael (Tony) and Peter, Tina’s sister Lesley Rowan, their in-laws, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, and their extended family and friends.

In their funeral notices, the couple’s family expressed their gratitude to the fire service, ambulance, and gardaí for “their kindness, care and efforts they made during this difficult time”.