‘Kind, loving, gentle’ Jack finally laid to rest by family
A YOUNG man who died in the River Foyle was “so kind and so loving and gentle”, his funeral heard.
Hundreds of mourners gathered on Saturday to pay their final respects to Jack Glenn.
The body of the talented sportsman (23) was recovered from the river last Monday, sevenand-a-half weeks after he was seen entering it.
Ebrington Presbyterian Church in Londonderry’s Waterside was packed for the emotional service. Some of those involved in the search formed a guard of honour as the coffin was carried into the church by his father and other family members.
Jack’s sister Katie fought back tears as she read a poem in the church where Jack was baptised and attended Sunday School.
It read: “I knew you’d find me daddy, I knew you’d never cease. No matter what it took daddy, I knew you’d give me peace.”
Jack’s uncle Wayne, who with his brother Colin had hunted the river day and night, thanked those who had helped in the search effort.
He read out a special tribute to his nephew.
He said Jack was an “incredibly intelligent young man, a talented and natural sportsman and a beautiful looking wee man”.
“Jack touched the hearts of so many,” he added.
“He was honest, helpful, fearless, funny, a rascal with a glint in his eye. He was so kind and so loving and gentle.
“His mum and dad and sister Katie and niece Lexie meant the world to him.
“He knew what family meant to him.
“I was asked to put together a few words for Colin, Hester and Katie, and I could only think of four. ‘We got Jack back’.”
Jack’s mother Hester broke down as the coffin was carried from the church for burial at Altnagelvin Cemetery.
Earlier, Jack’s grandfather Jack Glenn snr told the family of another missing man — Dean Millar — to never give up hope of finding his body.
Eighteen-year-old Dean didn’t return home after a night out on March 12.