‘I love you, Anthony, always and forever’: Irishman who died in Canada to be laid to rest

The funeral details for a young man who died in a tragic motorbike accident in Canada have been announced.

Anthony McGwynne, 27, died after being struck by a car on Arbutus Street in Vancouver, on July 4.

The young man was originally from Loughanelton, Calry, Co Sligo. A former student of the University of Limerick, he graduated from the Law Plus Bachelor degree programme in 2019.

His heartbroken girlfriend, Antonella Lagana, helped bring him home to Ireland by setting up a GoFundMe campaign.

Anthony will be reposing at his home (F91Y5N5) on Sunday, July 21 from 4pm until 8pm and on Monday, July 22 from 4pm until 8pm. Family home private outside reposing times.

Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 23, at 12 in Saint Joseph’s Church, Ballytivnan, Sligo.

Anthony’s funeral Mass will be live-streamed here. 

Burial will follow in Clogher New Cemetery, Calry, Co.Sligo. Family flowers only. The family have asked that donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

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Since the tragic news broke out, tributes have been pouring in for the young man, who was described as a “loving partner” and “a character” in his friend group.

On the fundraiser page, his heartbroken girlfriend, Antonella said: “Our beloved Anthony from Calry, Sligo passed away on July 4th, in a tragic motorbike accident in Vancouver, Canada. Anthony, was not just a loving partner and companion but a guiding light in my life and in the lives of so many others.

“He lived with a passion and humour that was infectious and approached every day with genuine kindness and a determination to make it better for those around him whom he loved so dearly. He will be deeply missed by his family, Tony, Bernadette, James, Maeve, Matthew and Granny as-well as his Vancouver family and friends who shared so many unforgettable adventures with him.”

“I love you, Anthony, always and forever,” Antonella added.

“It’s still so hard to believe that you’re gone from this world Anto. It was such a pleasure being your friend, you never failed to make any of us laugh until we cried, and you’ll be sorely missed by all of us. You were such a character in our friend group, and a wonderful partner to Antonella,” a friend wrote in tribute.

Dearly loved son of Tony and Bernadette, brother of James, Maeve and Matthew and partner of Antonella.

Sadly missed by his loving family, partner, grandmother Mary, step-brothers, step-sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, neighbours, his close friends in Vancouver and many friends.