ST JOHN the Baptist Church, Clontarf, Dublin, was filled to overflowing yesterday for a service of reception for former board member of The Irish Times, Derek McCullagh.
Friends, neighbours and colleagues from the newspaper gathered to pay tribute to a highly respected and popular figure.
Mr McCullagh died last Friday after a short illness. He worked with the company as financial controller, management services manager, corporate administration director and production director until retiring in 2002.
Members of Old Wesley rugby club, where Mr McCullagh was a trustee and past president, carried the coffin to the church.
Robert Watts, a friend from his involvement in tennis and rugby, described Mr McCullagh as “an absolute gentleman who would do anything to help anybody”.
Dorothy Godden, a member of Clontarf parish tennis club where Mr McCullagh was treasurer, said he was “a very kind and caring man”. The club recently made him a life member.
The remains were received by Rev Aisling Shine. There were prayers, readings and hymns.
Mr McCullagh’s life was recalled by family and friends.
His interests included the Burrow Players amateur drama group in Sutton; the print museum at Beggars Bush, of which he was director; and Ireland’s oldest club, the Hibernian Catch Club (founded in 1680) of which he was president until November last. All were represented at the service.
The attendance included Liam Kavanagh, managing director of The Irish Times, and Eoin McVey, managing editor.
Colleagues who worked with Mr McCullagh over the years were also present. The chief mourners were his wife, Hazel, sons Stephen, Colin and Gavin, and daughter, Jennifer. Mr McCullagh will be buried after a funeral service at 11am today.
