Paul Mills: In ‘First Franco,” Rooks tells the story of a groundbreaking Mainer
Rumford’s Albert Beliveau Sr. became the first Franco American named to the Maine Supreme Court and one of the first Catholics to occupy the position.
By Paul Mills
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Citizens of Franco-American descent comprise fully one-fourth of Maine’s population, the largest share of any state in the country.
They have achieved prominence in public life that now straddles both sides of the political divide. Democrats such as Congressman Michael Michaud, Senate President Duke Dutremble and House Speaker John Martin along with Republicans such as Gov. Paul LePage, Federal Appellate Judge Conrad Cyr, and Senate President Michael Thibodeau are but a few that come to mind.
As the family was getting ready to play the track, the undertaker Robert Gabriel pulled Ann aside.
Ann Phayer told C103 s Cork Today Show: He said that most people would have a recording and I was thinking oh my god, there s a problem now with the recording and they won t be able to do it. Then, when he said that we actually have the man himself Daniel, I just couldn t believe it.
O Donnell was on the other end of the phone line and sang the song live.
As for how this happened, O Donnell explained: We got a message from a lady called Delores. A few years ago, we did some work with Hidden Hearing and Delores works for the company and she s a friend of Ann s sister.
Daniel O Donnell surprises family of devoted fan by singing at her funeral goss.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from goss.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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The family of a life-long Daniel O’Donnell fan have said they will never forget the moment he surprised them by singing at her funeral service this week.
Cork woman Margaret McCarthy had been a fan of the legendary Donegal singer since he first came on the scene nearly 40 years ago.
After she passed away on Sunday, the family contacted Daniel and he posted a message of condolence online. We ll never forget it - Daniel O Donnell makes surprise appearance at lifelong fan s funeral
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On
Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Margaret’s daughter Ann Phayer said she never expected what happened next.
Mourners at a lockdown funeral in west Cork said they received a massive lift in their spirits after Daniel OâDonnell surprised them by singing over the phone at their motherâs graveside.
Ann Phayer said her mother, Margaret McCarthy of Innishannon, who died in Marymount Hospice in Cork last Sunday, was a huge fan of the Donegal singer.
Her husband Jimmy and the family used to joke that there was âthree in the marriageâ with mother of four Margaret attending as many of his concerts as she could in addition to buying his calendars and music.
A friend of the family had contacted Daniel to see if he would put up a condolence on the pensionerâs death notice.