A funeral service for a man who died in Portrush over the weekend following an incident involving a portable generator will take place on Friday.
Newly-wed father-of-five Jason McKay died on Sunday morning.
In a death notice, Jason was described as the “dearly loved husband of Serena, much loved dad of Faith, Lori, Ava, Lilyahna and David, very dear son of Ian and Joan, stepson of Karen and Stephen, loving brother of Morgan, Lucas, Max, Miley, Ethan, Amber and the late Emma, dear grandson of Nora, Isobel, Ivan and the late William, step grandson of Ronnie and a dear son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and nephew”.
It has now been confirmed the man’s funeral will take place on Friday at 2.30pm in Dunseverick Parish Church, with burial to take place afterwards in the adjoining churchyard.
The funeral notice added that Mr McKay would be “lovingly remembered”.
Yesterday, Causeway TUV councillor Allister Kyle, a childhood friend of Mr McKay, paid tribute to him.
“I’m absolutely devastated to hear the news of the tragic passing of Jason McKay. I knew Jason well. A dedicated member of Dunseverick LOL 528, I was pleased to see him elected and installed as their Deputy Master,” he said.
“Jason and I were about the same age and went through some of our degrees together in the Orange.”
He said Mr McKay was well liked within the local community.
“Jason got married last year and he lived just a few doors up from our family farm in Craigahulliar. A quiet, unassuming fellow, Jason was a hard worker who was very family focused.”
Mr Kyle offered his sympathies to Jason’s family.
“Jason was well known in the farming community and when he wasn’t helping his father’s building firm enjoyed working to a local agricultural contractor. He will be sorely missed by many not least his parents, wife Serena, their young family and wider family circle.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Jason’s family, colleagues and friends.”
Mayor Ciaran McQuillan expressed his heartfelt condolences of the passing of Mr McKay.
“This is absolutely tragic news, and I want to express my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s family and friends.
“On behalf of the council I wish to express our deepest thoughts and prayers with the McKay family at this time.
“In what will be immensely difficult days ahead, I know the community will rally around to support Jason’s family and friends.”
Giant’s Causeway Protestant Boys Flute Band also paid tribute to Mr McKay, saying: “(We) would like to offer our sincere condolences to our former Bandmaster Ian McKay on the sudden passing of his son Jason, also to our flag girl Miley on the passing of her brother and to the wider family circle. Rest Easy Jason.”
Local councillor Darryl Wilson added: “A very sad day. Passing on our condolences from the Ballymoney Community to all impacted by this awful tragedy.”
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