Tributes to ‘true gentleman’ found dead in cemetery
THE funeral of a loving father who died in a Belfast cemetery after a suspected fall is to take place tomorrow.
Peter Rush, a father-of-three who worked part-time for O’Kane’s Funeral Directors, was found dead in Milltown Cemetery on Saturday.
It is understood the Belfast man, who was aged in his 60s, was found by two members of the public. Police are not treating his death as suspicious. Mr Rush previously worked for Bass Ireland.
Alison Clarke, who runs the ACA model agency, was among those who paid tribute to him on social media.
“So saddened to hear of the sudden death of a very long friend and business colleague from my very first ACA models days,” she said.
“Peter was a lovely client from Bass Ireland on the Glen Road. He helped me a lot starting out all those years ago.
“He was a true gentleman, one of the best.” O’Kane’s owner Hugh Dougal also paid tribute to his colleague of 15 years. He said: “He was a very good and efficient worker.
“He did the pre-pay funerals for us and he handled it very well.
“He was lovely to work with and he will be greatly missed by everyone.”
Dozens of tributes have been left on the deceased’s Facebook page. Kay Rush Davidson, Mr Rush’s sister, also said he was a “true gentleman”.
“Rest easy my brother, you will never be forgotten,” she said. Julian Robertson wrote: “So desperately sad. “An all round decent guy and one I could always rely on for sound and friendly advice in our Bass days.
“A life well lived I’d say and I am only sorry we never got to take those pints we promised each other. I’ll get them in some day and toast your memory.”
Mr Rush’s funeral will take place at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church at 11am with burial afterwards at Crumlin Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife Maureen and children Nichola, Fiona and Peter.