I guess I haven’t been paying attention to the news of late. I just learned by accident of the passing of Tommy Makem while searching the web for background on one of his songs. I feel like someone has hit me with a mighty blow that has left me stunned. I had always thought in my heart that I would someday meet this gentle man and tell him what he meant to me, my father and my father’s father. All I feel now is a deep and burning grief. 
May the Creator’s perpetual light shine upon him.
My parents did get the honor to meet him - my dad (an Anglican priest) loves to tell the story how he and my mom walked in the room - my dad wearing his clerics - and Tommy immediately stood up in the presence of a priest.
I didn’t get to Milwaukee Irish Fest this year because of the crappy weather, and I so regretted missing the tribute to Tommy that his sons, the Spain Brothers, Eugene Byrnes, and others put on.
Hi Michael,
You are learning early on what it is to realize that, no matter how much time we have, there is never enough… so don’t put off important things… the person you want to do/tell/give/share something with may not be there.
There will be many people we don’t have enough time with, or even ever get to meet. If you want someone to know something, you have to tell them, not wait for convenience to do so.
Your dad helped my family see that, as have many others of the people we love… yet, even those we’ve lost have left us something incredibly important… their inspiration, their teachings, their music, or writing, or painting, … in other words, a portion of the love they got from and gave back to the world. That’s reason for joy, even in the midst of grief. 
Hugs,
annie
Yes, it is a sad blow to the world. He will be sorely missed.