Mourners at the funeral of Stephen ‘Chips’ Clarke (47) were reminded of how the late Belfast man was a “beacon of sunshine” and “above all, a family man”.
Stephen, known affectionately by those who knew him as ‘Chips’, passed away suddenly on Thursday, January 23.
The Short Strand native and another Belfast man, Sean Benson (37) from the New Lodge area, were found dead at around lunchtime at a house in Elizabeth Avenue in Larne.
The PSNI said they are still investigating the matter and are awaiting the results of toxicology tests.
Stephen’s funeral mass took place on Wednesday at St Matthew’s Church.
His burial is to follow at Roselawn Cemetery at 10am tomorrow, with his loved ones stating that “all are welcome, followed by refreshments”.
Funeral arrangements for Sean Benson are to be arranged at a later date.
During Stephen’s eulogy, the parish priest said: “Today we gather to celebrate the life of a remarkable person, our son Stephen, who brought joy and light to all those he encountered.
Stephen Clarke has previously volunteered with charities including Compassion Belfast, which reaches out to vulnerable people living in the city centre
“Born 47 years ago, Stephen was a beacon of sunshine; a personality who could brighten even the cloudiest of days, and Stephen’s unwavering kindness and compassion made him a beloved figure in the community.
“We’re going to return to that word ‘compassion’ soon. From a young age, Stephen displayed a profound commitment to services and serving others.
“He dedicated countless hours to our local charity, again compassionately delivering services to the homeless and the most vulnerable among us, with Compassion Belfast, a wonderful organisation.
“His heart was always open, and his willingness to help others exemplified his true spirit.”
Stephen’s boxing gloves were also placed at the front of the chapel, to signify his love for the sport, as the priest explained that it was “one of Stephen’s greatest passions”.
“He found his home in the boxing clubs of St Matthew’s parish and the City of Belfast Boxing Academy,” the clergyman added.
Stephen Clarke went on to gain coaching qualifications and volunteered at the City of Belfast Boxing Academy
“Here he forged lasting friendships and earned the respect of all his fellow boxers. His love for sport never left him and even so was his ability to uplift those around him with his infectious laughter and humour.
“Stephen’s contributions extended to many years of projects, where he not only shared his time, but also his experiences, gifted through his knowledge and his wisdom. He understood the importance of nurturing young minds and hearts, and he did so with grace and great enthusiasm.
“His dedication was not just a duty or a responsibility, but also a kind of a calling.
“Above all, Stephen was a family man.”
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A father-of-four and grandfather to ‘wee Alfie’, funeral attendees were told that Stephen’s love for his children — Aimee, Stephen, Anthony and Brianna — “was profound”, and his joy only grew with “the arrival of his precious grandson, Alfie”.
“Stephen often expressed his pride in his family, sharing countless posts on Facebook that reflected his deep love for them.
“In the days following his passing, we have seen an outpouring of tributes and stories from our community, each one a testament to the love and respect we all held for him.”
Stephen Clarke
A death notice for Stephen further notes that he “will be remembered most for his joyful spirit, his many anecdotes, his laughter and for his huge heart — evident in his volunteer work, his mentoring and boxing coaching”.
He had been a long-term member of the City of Belfast Boxing Academy, near Templemore Avenue, with the club located right beside the peace wall that separates the nationalist Short Strand and unionist Cluan Place areas.
The club has also set up an online fundraiser to help Mr Clarke’s family with the costs of his funeral and memorial service.
Paying their respects on Saturday, a spokesperson stated: “It may seem cliché to say, but Chips genuinely lit up every room he walked into, and there was never a dull or boring session at the club whenever he was around. He always made sure everyone had a laugh, pushed themselves to the limits, and left with a smile on their faces.
“Chips himself always tried his hardest, no matter what was thrown at him, and we have all been left with so many happy memories of the guy who truly had a heart of gold.
“Words cannot express how much we will miss Chips, especially now knowing that he will never walk through the doors again, but one thing is for sure — no one that ever crossed his path in the club, will ever forget him.
“We would most of all like to share all of our thoughts and love with his family and those closest to him.”
Over £1,500 has been raised by the GoFundMe page since its creation on Saturday. Its full details can be found here.