Blake McCaughey is “brightest star in the sky” who could “light up a room in a second”, funeral hears

Blake McCaughey’s mum Christine paid a touching tribute to her beloved son at his funeral following his death on January 17 at the age of 18

The mother of an inspirational teenager told mourners his legacy will continue to grow as he is the “brightest star in the sky” guiding his loved ones.

Blake McCaughey, who had a rare genetic disorder, died on Saturday, January 17, and was lovingly remembered at a funeral service on Friday by his heartbroken family – mum Christine, dad Andy, sister Pixie and uncle Neil – and his many friends and supporters.

The 18-year-old, from Tandragee, touched the hearts of people across the country with his positivity and was an avid Belfast Giants fan and member of Portadown True Blues Flute Band.

Speaking to mourners at Ballymore Parish Church on Friday, mum Christine told them: “We were the lucky ones, he chose us.”

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She told the congregation all about her Blakey, his love for the Belfast Giants, Portadown True Blues and the support and love he received from the staff at Ceara School in Lurgan, who closed the school on Friday so they could all attend his funeral.

“The love he showed me and the ability to give me strength would push me on,” she said.

“He showed me resilience, bravery, love and every stride of his life he did it with a smile cause he could see we were behind him and he was leadng by the example we were setting for him.”

Christine added: “I knew Blake was only ever on loan to me, I knew our time would be shorter than my heart could ever deal with but I knew he made it special, he would make it count.

“Blake your legacy will grow, your name will be forever spoken and I promise you, we will continue to do you proud. Watch over us, mummy, daddy, Pixie and uncle Neil, and every single person here today. In the words of Blake, love you bye. Our boy, our hero, our Blake.

“Just last week, Blake put his head on my chest and said ‘Mummy am I your angel’, and I said ‘Blake yes you are’.”

The service heard from mum Christine as well as his sister Pixie and uncle Neil as members of the Belfast Giants, including Adam Keefe, were in attendance, with the congregations asked to dress how Blake would have known them best.

Mum Christine paid a special tribute to all the important people who helped mould Blake into the incredible young man he was. She said: “Kind and caring, but more importantly the most mischievous, cheeky wee monkey who had the power to light up a room in a second and fill it with love and affection.”

In her tribute, Christine said: “Blake Thomas James McCaughey, where do I even begin. The 31st October 2007, I became a mummy, something I had always wanted to be, but from the minute you entered this world you had one plan, that was to cause absolute and utter chaos and mayhem.

“You entered the world sick and within seconds had a roomful of women running after you. Truthfully though we really know that didn’t change in those 18 years.

“We knew you were going to be special Blake but boy oh boy did we underestimate how special you would be. You gave us the run around from the absolute beginning but we wouldn’t change one single bit of that.

“When I was young, all I ever wanted to be was a nurse but never felt brave or smart enough to go after that, so in true Blakey style you made me not just your mummy but your nurse, your carer, your pharmacist, your advocate, and this next title I am giving to myself, you made me a Professor of Blake.

“No need for a degree, or any fancy letters after my name, mummy was enough. I can stand here today and put my hand on my heart and say with absolute pride, if I didn’t know it when it came to Blake, well I am 100% sure it wasn’t worth knowing.

“You taught me everything I needed to know to be the best nurse to you Blake, but you didn’t see me as a nurse, you seen me as your safety blanket and we knew that no matter what was going on when we looked at each other in those eyes, it was all OK.

“We didn’t need those big sit down chats about how wrong things were, we just held hands, pushed through every single trial and you are a true sentiment to what it is to be a superstar.

“You never complained, well apart from when the wifi went down or your ipad was running out of charge, cause in your world that was a real life problem.

“We knew from early on that you needed a sidekick so we gave you Pixie.”

Christine spoke about the moment Blake met his sister and the special bond she instantly knew they had and how when he was young he couldn’t say her name so would call her Snixsnay or Pix, a pet name that never faded.

“We put Pixie into your arms and from that moment I knew she had the greatest gift of her life and likewise, you for her.,” she said.

“That bond just grew stronger and stronger over the years and looking back now Blake I can see all them things you had planned for us and planned for her.

“On your 18th birthday party, you danced with Pixie in a white dress because secretly you and I knew you wouldn’t be here for her wedding day. And that Pixie will have forever.

“Blake and Pixie, that bond, that love and that strength you both had made us the proudest parents ever.

“As we navigate a new journey with you guiding us, we know we did right for you both, to live those years together. Pixie now it is your turn to have 100% attention, to create even more memories, to do Blake proud, and we promise you we will be strong because that is what Blake taught us.”

She added: “The Tandragee Five title won’t change because on the next stage we have the brightest star in the sky guiding us the whole way and no one got the privilaege but you to call Blake your brother.”

Sister Pixie also spoke to the congregation and said she was “beyond lucky to be Blake’s sister and be able to grow up with Blake by my side”. She was also wearing a special fleece as it was designed by Blake.

She described him as not just her brother, but her best friend, biggest supporter and hero.

“One thing I am forever grateful for is how quickly Blake could change my mood,” she said.

“Even if I was having a hard day, seeing Blake and talking to him never failed to put a smile on my face and to change my mood instantly.

“As I grew up, I watched Blake grow up as well, watched him achieve so much in this life and I am so proud to have been beside him through it all.”

She added: “Blake you have shown me to never give up and shown me what a true gentleman looks like. You make me so proud and I am beyond grateful to be called Blake’s sister. I love you Blake and I always will.”

His uncle Neil, who is also Blake’s godfather, said that role was an honour and brought him more joy and more laughs and more memories than he ever imagined.

“I will always remember the pride of sharing the road together as we proudly paraded with the Portadown True Blues. We went to the Giants games and we went on so many adventures I will always treasure,” he said.

“Blakey had a way of making sure I was worked hard as you were only ever interested in what I was doing in work, any sales today. The fittings didn’t matter, you knew the numbers would go up with the sales. It was our secret as you tapped your nose, then told everyone.

“Blake you gave me 18 years of loving you and I will carry this with me for the rest of my life. I love you Blake, I love you, bye.”

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