A pensioner found dead in his Londonderry home influenced the lives of many, his funeral heard today.
Retired orthodontist Dr Noel O’Sullivan’s remains were discovered in a freezer at his house at Culmore Road on July 17.
His son, John Garrett O’Sullivan, appeared in court earlier this week charged with attempting to prevent his burial.
A funeral notice said Dr O’Sullivan, who was aged in his 80s, had died “unexpectedly at home”.
Requiem mass took place at St Patrick’s Church, Pennyburn, this afternoon.
Parish priest Fr Michael McCaughey said Dr O’Sullivan spent his life “helping, cherishing, protecting and nurturing others”.
“In his own journey he set about making a home for his future wife Ann, and in the years to follow no doubt he set aside many of his own personal interests to make a home for his children,” he told mourners.
The funeral heard that Dr O’Sullivan was previously an adventurous sailor who, in 1999, had been involved in the Arc race across the Atlantic.
“Many were to follow that race path,” Fr McCaughey said.
“In those situations he was certainly adventurous. He enabled others, in their sailing, to go beyond themselves.
“That sense of sailing, of leisure and holiday, was so important to him.”
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The priest praised Dr O’Sullivan’s “influence on the lives of many”, recalling “his educational and his boating skills, his professional life”.
The service heard that his work as an orthodontist meant he was well-known throughout the city of Derry.
Fr McCaughey recalled how Dr O’Sullivan met his wife through his studies, and they built their home together in Derry.
“Noel O’Sullivan was always proud of his work,” he added.
“Known through this city and further afield, he would say that through his work and his profession, he would give people smiles.
“Coming from a family of medics, he devoted so much of his life to the National Health Service.
“Setting up a place where people could come for treatment, he instilled a great work ethic in the lives of those around him.
“A man who was generous and, it was said beautifully, someone with a good heart.
“He was always proud of his family roots and his family name.”
He added: “Noel O’Sullivan worked hard. He enjoyed the fun and the leisure of life’s journey.”
On Monday, Dr O’Sullivan’s son appeared in court accused of attempting to prevent the lawful and decent burial of his father on dates between July 1 and 17.
He told police he had put his father in the refrigerator to preserve the body, as well as his privacy and dignity.
He said that he did not contact a GP as his father had already died.