Pat McCormick laid to rest

Pat McCormick laid to rest

24 July 2019

MURDERED Saintfield man Pat McCormick was called a “wonderful husband, father and son” by his teenage daughter at his funeral.

The  55 year-old, whose remains were found in a local lake six weeks after he disappeared, was also described as a “very kind and caring person”.

Mr McCormick’s funeral was held at Strean Presbyterian Church in Newtownards last Wednesday.

It’s the same church where he married his wife Alison 21 years ago and where he worked as a caretaker for the last 10 years. The couple have four children — Myles, Morgan, MacKenzie and Mitchell.

Mr McCormick was a former lance corporal in the UDR and Royal Irish Regiment. A piper and a guard of honour welcomed the coffin into the church which was draped with a regimental flag.

His 14 year-old daughter, Morgan, told mourners that she wanted everyone to know “what a wonderful husband, father and son” her father was.

She said: “My dad was a wonderful, fun loving, very kind and caring person. He was always cracking jokes and always supportive whenever we needed him.

“He was Superglued to his children and on more than one occasion would travel to  pick Myles up at 2am.”

She said that her parents had met 25 years ago when they were both serving in the Royal Irish Regiment.

She added: “My dad loved us all so much and would do anything for his family. He was an absolutely wonderful father who worked so hard so that he and mummy could provide us with the wonderful life that we had.

“Things are going to change now but our memories will live on. Memories of love, laughter and happiness will never die.”

Morgan also said her father, who was named William but was called Pat, was devoted to his elderly parents, Jean and Patrick, who live in Ballynahinch. 

The Rev Jeff McWatters read a message from Mr McCormick’s son, Myles, who said he “would be completely lost” without his dad.

He said that McCormick’s friends within the church, where he had worked at for the last ten years, also shared in his family’s pain.

“As human beings we struggle with death because we have lost someone we loved. It is even more difficult when a loved one has been taken from us by murder,” Mr McWatters said.

The minister said while some people may find it easy to criticise Mr McCormick, he reminded mourners: “It would be easy to say that if Pat had made different choices he would be still here. With hindsight, there’s not one person here who wouldn’t make different choices.”

A 26 year-old man charged with McCormick’s murder and a 21 year-old woman charged in connection with the murder will next appear in court on August 2.