A man who died in Portrush over the weekend has been named locally as newly-wed father of five, Jason McKay.
He died on Sunday morning following an incident involving a portable generator.
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”.
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.”
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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