Former US congressman Joe Kennedy will deliver the eulogy today at the funeral of Ray Dooley who was chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance for four years until 2004.
Mr Dooley (54) died of cancer at his home in Howth, Dublin, on Sunday.
While in the US he worked for former Boston mayor Ray Flynn and also for the former congressman as well as for senator John Kerry.
Mr Dooley was chief operating officer in the city of Boston from 1984 until 1990 and held a variety of other consultative and public positions and charities in the city dating back to the early 1970s.
He worked to help the marginalised in Boston, especially the poor and children.
He led the successful reelection campaign for Mr Kerry in 1996 and also served as Mr Kennedy's chief of staff.
Jillian van Turnhout of the Children's Rights Alliance said: "During his time as chief executive he worked tirelessly to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. He brought passion, enthusiasm and commitment to all that he did. He touched many hearts and minds. He will be sadly missed."
The funeral service will take place at the Church of the Assumption, Howth at 11.30am today.