If you follow SG Gaming Info on Twitter or Facebook, you would have been made aware of my dad’s sudden and unexpected death. Therefore, in this first article since his passing, I just want to talk about him, and everything he did for me.

My dad, Anthony Meehan (57) was a kind, generous and strict man who was always with me no matter what I was doing. When I was growing up playing rugby for my school, he became a coach, and despite having little knowledge of the sport, he thrived and got the very best out of every player he coached. I often remember getting in trouble during coaching sessions because I made the mistake of thinking he would go easy on his son, but when training or a match was over, he would throw away the coaching mask and once again become a loving and caring dad.

When I moved to my local school for my final few years (the change from a 1hr+ drive to 15-minute walk was a godsend) he actively helped the school with him taking an active role in the school’s parent-teacher association (PTA). He loved his position on the PTA, and I remember him offering a small pride-filled smile when I once had to do a presentation to the PTA as vice chairperson of the school’s senior prefects.

Away from the helping in school, he created my love and passion for video games and sci-fi. With my dad introducing me to Star Wars when I was a young child (the original VHS, no alterations), and on one Easter, he bought me Super Mario Kart for the SNES, instead of an Easter egg, and well, the game lasted longer than any Easter egg I can remember.

Now, while my dad wasn’t a big video game fan or player, he always took an interest in my hobby, and I remember when I bought the PlayStation VR last year he tried it out, and I’ll never forget how he was terrified of playing Ocean Descent, and him ripping the headset off as the shark attacked the cage.

When it came to writing, my dad was both proud and supportive of my work, he would always motivate me to keep working and help me in any way he could. On several occasions, I remember hearing how he would tell friends and colleagues about how I was a journalist and managed my own company.

Away from everything he did for me, his funeral showed what he meant to the Irish Revenue Commissioners, where he spent the majority of his life working. In life I recall how he knew someone in nearly every state department, with one of my fondest memories being my dad, my mom and myself getting flagged and yelled to a customs check in Dublin Airport, only to find it was one of my dad’s former work mates messing with him.

I could say so much about my dad, but in the end, he was a kind and loving man, who always had the time of day for not just his family, but for anyone who approached him. I know I will greatly miss him, but I think the best way I can honour him is by prove him right and make SG Gaming Info a success.

Rest in Peace Dad, you will be missed.