Tributes to highly respected journalist Brian Courtney who worked for decades at the Portadown Times

Mr Courtney died peacefully at Craigavon Hospital this morning. He was aged 85 years old. His heartbroken son Colin Courtney revealed the news on social media.

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Colin said: “Many thanks again all for your kind words of support, friendship, thoughts and prayers. Regrettably my Dad passed away peacefully just before 9am this morning. My heart is truly broken. What makes it worse was after being at the hospital for 16 hours, I wasn't there at the end, but I take comfort in thinking that maybe that's what he wanted, he just didn't want me to see him like that.

"Portadown Football Club to the end, the last conversation I had with him was about Portadown's chances of beating Ballymena on Good Friday. Maybe the Wee Ports can use that as inspiration. Go out and win it for Brian Courtney.

"My father, my hero, my best friend and one of my fiercest supporters, I will always miss you. Rest easy Dad.”

Brian began his journalistic career in the Portadown News in 1953 and, later in 1957, he joined the Portadown Times then owned by the Morton Group. He worked for the Portadown Times until 1967 when he returned to the Portadown News. Six years later the Portadown News was sold to the Morton Group and he once again became a reporter for the Portadown Times. He remained a journalist with the Times until his retirement.

Brian wrote about many things over the years, from court reporting, council, politics and history. He was involved in compiling the much loved ‘Back in the Day’ column.

Brian had an encyclopaedic mind and was regarded by many as Mr Portadown and there was no one who know the town as well. There was very little he didn’t know about its history, life and people.

His support of Portadown Football Club was legendary and he rarely missed a game. He was also involved in the Football Programme for many years.

Always courteous and dressed in a dapper jacket, shirt and tie, Brian was a gentleman, an old school gentleman.

His Portadown Times colleagues would like to offer their deepest condolences to the Courtney family at this very sad time.

Senior News Letter journalist Billy Kennedy said: "My good friend and colleague Brian Courtney was a journalist of the highest integrity, dating back more than 60 years. Brian was a proud Portadown man who, like his close colleague, the late Victor Gordon, contributed much to journalism in the town they would have often proclaimed as the 'Hub of the North'.

"Over four years, I worked with Brian on the Portadown News, under the editorship of Douglas Sloan, and on the Portadown Times/News, edited by David Armstrong. Brian's journalistic skills were considerable - a sharp focus on detail in a story; the value of human interest in the story and his exceptional shorthand and typing skills, essential for Brian's work in covering courts and councils.

"Brian's knowledge of public affairs in Portadown and district were far-reaching and I have fond memories of him thumping out long court and council reports on his distinctive brown typewriter up into the night for the next editions of the paper.

"He was a loyal colleague who was a wise mentor to many young journalists entering the profession. He was a lifelong supporter of Portadown Football Club, and through the decades he both relished and fretted over the highs and lows of his beloved Shamrock Park club.

"Brian was a close personal friend; my sympathy is extended to his wife Sylvia and son Colin."

Brian was also a long-serving member of the loyal orders in Portadown, belonging to Wesleyan Temperance No 161 and Epworth Temperance RBP No 232, the Methodist lodges in Portadown District.. Brian was also a regular contribtutor to the Orange Standard newspaper.

A spokesperson for the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland said: “It was with great sadness that the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland learned of the passing of Bro. Brian Courtney.

"A loyal and dedicated Orangeman from Portadown, Brian had a long association with the Orange Standard - the Institution's newspaper.

"He was the contributor of 'The Observer' column, writing each month on a wide range of issues of interest to the Institution and wider Orange Family.

"We offer our prayers and deepest sympathies to The Courtney family circle at this very sad time.”