A popular Co Tyrone man who passed away from cancer aged 39 ‘brought the best out in everyone’, mourners at his funeral were told on Monday.
Cormac McLaughlin from Castlederg died in Texas last month after a mammoth fundraising effort from the local community to get him specialist treatment in the US.
After Cormac’s body was flown home with the assistance of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, hundreds of mourners gathered at St Patrick’s Church in the Co Tyrone town to hear a touching tribute from the local priest who had got to know him in recent years.
READ MORE: Family's tribute to "brave" Co Tyrone man Cormac McLaughlin who passed away in Texas
Father Paul Fraser said he had touched many people’s lives throughout his time living in England, Italy and Hong Kong as well as his native Castlederg.
“He touched people’s lives. He was a man who knew how to bring out the best in people,” Fr Fraser said.
“I got to meet him on many occasions and had the privilege of getting to know him better. It was always a joy to visit Cormac and Rhona. It was never a brief visit, there was always a cup of tea.
“What I discovered was Cormac was a man of deep faith. For some reason as priests we don’t really expect that of men in their 30s and 40s. Cormac was always delighted to pray with me when I visited the house.
“In all the visits that I shared with Cormac I never once heard him ask the question - why me?
The parish priest added teacher Cormac was a hugely popular figure, and that was reflected by those who had supported him during his illness.
He added: “The other thing that kept him going was that huge circle of friends who reached out constantly to let him and the family know that they were there supporting him.
“Cormac loved the craic and he was always in the middle of it. I think it’s not too much of an exaggeration to see he was a total wind up merchant.
“We see a little bit of that today as we carry that Donegal jersey to the front of the church and there are people here today with Donegal jerseys - which I know would be making Cormac beam from ear to ear.
“I know that over the last few days that Cormac’s family have been so supported by the stories that have been shared about Cormac, and the memories that he has left everybody behind.
“Cormac’s life was a blessing to so many people, his determination, his optimism and sense of humour were a wonderful encouragement to people in different parts of their lives.
“This has been a turbulent journey for Cormac and everybody that accompanied him on that journey. But if there’s one thing that we can say for certain, it’s that Cormac brought out the best in everyone.”
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