Farewell to 'a fun-loving and thoughtful young man'
HUNDREDS of people gathered at Newtownabbey Methodist Mission in Rathcoole on Saturday morning to give thanks for the life of Neil McFerran.
Family and friends of the tragic teenager heard Neil’s older brother describe how the popular 18-year-old had “brought people together with his love.”
Paying a moving tribute to his brother, Stephen said: “The truth is, Neil was so perfect and if I was half the person he was, I would be very proud of myself and have realised how I looked up to him.
“He brought people together with his love, always smiling, giving hugs, teaching us the value of youth and how important it is to stay young at heart. To be happy, live life and enjoy it.”
During the service, led by Rev Billy Davidson, Neil was described as a fun-loving and thoughtful young person whose life was cut short by a tragic incident.
Reverend Ellen Whalley, a friend of the McFerran family, also spoke at the service and told mourners of Neil's popularity.
“Neil had many, many friends, through primary school, secondary school, youth club, Fire Cadets and in DW Sports where he worked,” she said.
Describing the former King’s Park Primary School pupil as someone of whom his family could be justly proud, Rev Whalley added: “Every young person looks for a role model, whether a parent, soccer star, teacher or so on. In Neil, his contemporaries would have found a good role model.”
Among those who attended the funeral service were the families of Aaron Davidson and Matthew Gaw.
Rathcoole Drive came to a standstill as hundreds of mourners walked behind the hearse as it made its way through the estate en route to Carnmoney Cemetery.
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Weather for Newtownabbey
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
