1,000 attend Paul Houston funeral
Paul Houston, who was beaten to death while holidaying in Portugal on Sunday week last, was a man “once met, never forgotten,” according to his grief-stricken widow Celine.
In a message read out at Mr. Houston’s Requiem Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Ballybrack, on Monday last, Mrs. Houston said the popular Greencastle man “loved life and lived it with an infectious enthusiasm – once met, never forgotten. He was caring and fun loving.”
Mr. Houston’s mother, Mavis, also paid tribute. In a “reflection” read by chief celebrant, Fr. Paddy O’Kane, PP, Moville, Mrs. Houston said she was a “very proud mother” of a son who was “blessed in life with many talents and abilities, a fantastic sense of humour and a tremendous sense of fun.”
Over 1,000 mourners attended the funeral at the 124-year-old church which was packed to overflowing with the service relayed by loudspeakers to hundreds more outside.
Past and current officials of Greencastle Golf Club, of which Mr. Houston was president, formed a guard of honour as his remains were brought to and taken from the church.
Tears mixed with laughter during the service as family and friends paid tribute to the 51-year-old father of four’s humour, singing ability and business acumen.
Referring to the circumstances surrounding how Mr. Houston died, Fr. O’Kane said the incident was “well known and sadly etched in our memories forever.”
He added the communities of Derry, where Mr. Houston ran a successful shoe shop business, Greencastle and Moville were “plunged into disbelief” when the tragic news broke.
He added: “As the news spread people asked could it be true that this wonderful man, so popular and so much loved had died while on holidays with his wife Celine and friends – a holiday he had been looking forward to so much as the wet summer had been getting him down and preventing him from enjoying his favourite hobby – golf.
“The tragic events of Sunday, September 6, when he died, are well known and sadly etched in our memories forever. I did not know Paul as well as I knew his parents and I am sorry I didn’t. Because Paul was unique. There will never be another Paul Houston. He lived life to full. Those who called at the house during the past week will have noticed there is a painting on the wall of that Creation scene by Michaelangelo in the Cistine Chapel where God is about to touch the forefinger of Adam and give him the gift of life. As I looked at it over the past few days I reflected on how Paul touched the lives of so many and in his own unique way gave them life.”
Tributes were also paid by Mr. Houston’s nephew, Conor Houston, who told the congregation his uncle brought “warmth into the lives of everyone” and by close friend, Bill Brown, who said Mr. Houston was the most remarkable person he had ever met.
Among the Offertory Gifts taken to the altar during the service were a pair of Mr. Houstons golf shoes, a golf club and a microphone.
Among the mourners were Auxiliary Bishop of Derry, Most Rev. Dr. Francis Lagan. SDLP leader Mark Durkan, former SDLP leader John Hume and representatives from numerous golf clubs throughout the North West.
Following the service, Mr. Houston’s remains were taken to the Chapel of Rest in Carndonagh Hospital pending removal to Roselawn Crematorium in Belfast.
Mr. Houston is survived by his wife Celine, sons Christopher, David and Tom, daughter Amy, granddaughter Molly, mother Mavis, brothers Kevin and Terry, and sister Jenny.
Meanwhile, an autopsy carried out in Portugal has revealed Mr. Houston died from a brain haemorrhage following the severe beating he sustained in the holiday resort of Alvor in the Algarve. Portuguese said they were treating Mr. Houston’s death as a homicide.