‘He would light up a room like no other’: Heartbreak at funeral of Jamie Gill

Jamie Gill, the husband of influencer Niamh Cullen, was laid to rest in a heartbreaking funeral on Tuesday

Jamie Gill was a “true one in a million, who would walk into any space people would notice”, his funeral mass heard on Tuesday, as he was laid to rest following his fatal battle with cancer.

Jamie, aged 33, sadly passed away on Thursday, only days after he celebrated his one-year wedding anniversary with his beloved wife Niamh Cullen. The popular influencer and her partner were together for over eight years and wed in Italy in November 2024, with Jamie falling ill just three days into their marriage.

Described as a “true gentleman”, a heart-breaking funeral mass was held for Jamie at St. Vincent De Paul, Griffith Avenue, Dublin on Tuesday morning before his burial afterwards in Balgriffin Cemetery.

During the service, Jamie’s beloved mother Barbara, and his adoring wife Niamh, shared a heart-warming reflection with mourners, titled The Stars Called You Home.

“For Jamie. The stars called you home, love, up high so far away. I think they missed your brilliance, they just couldn’t let you stay. You’ve shone that light of yours love, on all the lives you touched.

“We’ve known your joy for years and years, I guess they thought enough. They need your light up there now, this world grows ever dark. Your youness will rain down like love dripped into every heart.

“The stars have called you home now love, now we’ll miss you every day and every night will scour the skies to watch you where you lay.

“And when the clouds are gathering and the air is too cold to breathe, the life you live will warm our bones and your star will help us see. From me and Niamh.”

Jamie’s loving father Hugh thanked the priests and funeral team at St Vincent de Paul, as well as the staff at St Francis Hospice for their “kindness, empathy and warmth” before Jamie’s older brother Hugh Jr read a tearful eulogy.

“We wish to really thank the staff of St Claire’s ward in Beaumont Hospital and the amazing team at St Francis Hospice who showed kindness, empathy and warmth, not only to Jamie, but also to his family and to Niamh.

“We also wish to thank many others who have helped ease Jamie through this last year. We also wish to thank, I suppose, our many friends who have called to the house with gifts and various other things over the last couple of days to help us through this difficult time.”

In a lengthy and tearful eulogy, Jamie’s older brother Hugh told the church his loving sibling was a “true one in a million, who would walk into any space people would notice.”

“Jamie, in more recent years, had become focused and tended to keep us all in check,” he told mourners. “Hence, I know I’m under a serious bit of pressure up here, as I can picture him looking down on us giggling, saying, ‘Hughie, you only have one chance of getting this right.’ Don’t worry, Jamie, gotcha.

“Jamie was a connector, a facilitator, a fixer, a true one in a million, who would walk into any space people would notice. He would look at you with such poise, charm and a smile that would make you feel like you’re special. That was his talent and why we all sit here today with a pure pleasure that we got to meet and spend treasured time with him.

“He would light up a room like no other. He tended to always get his way without you even knowing it. Men respected and looked up to him. Women loved him and were generally taken by his kindness, charm and good looks like I’ve never witnessed before.

“Kids absolutely adored him due to his happy and lovable nature, he grew up with a special kindness in his eyes and an empathy for so many, yet a devilment and a glint in his eye that would sometimes get him in a bit of trouble.

“He really had to learn that in life, if he was messing, not getting caught was the key. We had the privilege of an incredible upbringing, full of love, learning, and support, and it’s really no surprise, as we matured, the three of us had become true best friends. It was always the three of us, a bond like no other.”

He added: “Jamie always spoke of the special parents you were to us and particularly helping us to figure out right from wrong without pressure or judgment.

“I have received over hundreds of messages these past few days, and most mention how much of a true gentleman he was. Thank you, mum and dad.

“Jamie had an innocence and a grá for life that was so endearing. He treasured the special times and traditions that were made and you appreciate being there for every moment with him, whether we were going on a night out, grabbing a coffee or even a chemotherapy session, the cracking smile was always the same. He had a habit of making you walk away with your cup completely full.

“Nothing could have prepared us for the past year. He went on a journey where he found cancer in January and it became a full year of pain and struggle.

“It was torture seeing his life change so quickly. However, it has to be said there are two absolute warriors that sit here today who became his primary carers, Niamh and mum. What you did for Jamie this year was nothing next to incredible.

“You gave everything and were his everything. You were both his therapists, his carers, physios, acupuncturists, nurses, but most of all, his go to people when things got tough. You lived every minute of his pain, but always calmed, assured and relaxed him as the road ahead got very tricky.

“It was no surprise as Jamie moved towards his next chapter in life last week that it was the two of you holding his hand in hand as life with him was leaving, assuring him things would be okay, I want to thank you on behalf of dad, Danny, and myself and everyone here today for the unwavering love and support you gave him this year. It means the world”.

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