The sister of a young father who died after being seriously assaulted said today his family’s hearts are “forever broken”.
Mourners gathered in Strabane, Co Tyrone, to pay their final respects to Stephen Holmes.
The 31-year-old died in hospital last weekend, six days after being seriously assaulted.
A man has been charged with his murder.
Requiem Mass was held at St Mary’s Church, Melmount.
Addressing mourners, parish priest Fr Michael Doherty said Mr Holmes had died as a result “of a very tragic incident”.
Urging people to learn lessons from his “unwarranted death”, the priest said too many young people had died in the community in recent times.
He spoke of “fearful communities” and a “style of living which is becoming too prevalent”.
During the poignant service, Mr Holmes’ sister Zara thanked all the medical staff who cared for her brother, saying they worked “tirelessly” to save his life.
“They treated Stephen with the utmost care and dignity and as a family we will be forever grateful,” she added.
“Stephen is a beloved son, he’s a daddy and a baby brother.
“He put up a brave fight to stay, but this battle was one he could not survive.
“Our hearts will be forever broken but we will take some comfort in knowing that we were there with you, surrounding you in love like we always did.
“Please look over your mummy and daddy, your two big brothers and your sister, all your nieces and nephews but most importantly your two little boys, Alfie and Noah, who love you so very much.
“As a family we will watch them grow and see you live on through them.
“Today as a family it is very hard to say goodbye. May God keep you safe until we see you again.”
To applause from mourners, she added: “We will miss you for ever Stephen, God bless.”
Earlier, family members carried Mr Holmes’ coffin to the church on the outskirts of Strabane for the midday service.
Fr Doherty said: “We offer our condolences not only on Stephen’s passing at that young age of 31 but also on the sad and tragic manner and circumstances of his death.
“Stephen was baptised in this church, and is being brought to burial from this church today.
“But he’s been brought to burial long before his expected time.”
Fr Doherty said too many young people had lost their lives in the Strabane area in recent times.
“I’m sure that we are no different to any other town, but we seem to have brought so many young adults to this church for burial after their deaths,” he added.
“Some were through natural causes, maybe after short or long illnesses, but in more recent years we’ve been burying people through other causes and I don’t need to spell them out today.
“But all of them who have passed from this life leave behind them broken-hearted families and in some cases, because of the way life is led now, leave behind them fearful communities, fearful for their own children and the style of living which is becoming too prevalent.
“And whenever we have a death like Stephen’s – and as I say we’ve had so many of them, so many young deaths over the past years, you always hope that this will be the last one.
“But there always seems to be another.
“No matter how many young people gather here today and have done so for other funerals over recent years, and make a plea not to let it happen again, sometimes it can be forgotten about and the same thing happens.
“I think we all have to admit there are several lessons to be learned from Stephen’s unwarranted death and we can only hope that they will be learned.”
During the service gifts representing Mr Holmes’ life were brought to the altar.
These included a photograph and a fishing rod.
As Mr Holmes’ coffin was led from the church, the Westlife track ‘I’ll See You Again’, was played.
Mr Holmes had been seriously injured after the incident in Strabane in the early hours of February 3.
He was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry and later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, where he passed away last Saturday.
A death notice said his death was “deeply regretted by his heartbroken mum, dad, sons, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and family circle”.
Dylan McCrossan has been charged in connection with his death.
On Thursday, the original grievous bodily harm with intent charge against the accused was upgraded to murder.
The 31-year-old, from Beechmount Village, is a brother of SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan.