Hi,

Our brother and friend Mick was a machine operator in San Fransisco. He was born in Kilkenny and emigrated to Canada, then to Denver and finally San Fransisco. He was a great crack and a great friend to everyone he met on the way and including his family and friends back home.

His great buddy Liam Ryan and I were bothering him for years saying we were on the way over to San Fransisco to swim from Alcatraz to the Bay. He always said we were mad, but "when are ye coming over" . Between injuries, Covid and excuses, we got delayed a few years, and he always gave out to us for the delays. Sadly, Mick was taken in this time to a bad bout of cancer. It was a shocking time. Luckily, we got Mick home, and he passed away with his family and some friends here in his beloved Kilkenny. Many friends in Canada and the USA also mourned his passing.

Now, Liam and I are ready for the swim, and we will do this in Mick's name. Mick was the kindest man any of us will have ever met.

As a tribute to Mick, we are opening this "go fund me" to donate some money to some other poor Irish person who maybe is not as lucky as Mick and may need to get taken care of as they fall on a tough time. All proceeds, including some from Micks estate, will go to a Charity that will offer a hand-up to a fellow Irish person in San Fransisco.

The swim is on the 28th of September. We will organise a memorial drink for Mick in McCarthys Bar and the four Dueces in San Fran on Friday the 30th of September and October 1st, where we hope to meet Micks old friends and make this charitable donation. Thanks for contributing.

Jim Costello