Children’s moving tribute to dad who left them ‘so soon’
THE children of a Co Antrim musician found dead a week after going missing have said his spirit will always be with them.
The moving tribute to Robert Holmes came during a service of thanksgiving for his life yesterday.
The 42-year-old was last seen on October 17, and his body was recovered in Newtownabbey last Wednesday.
Police are not treating his death as suspicious.
During the service at Greenisland Baptist Church yesterday a guitar belonging to the singer-songwriter was set on the altar, accompanied by a photo.
A tribute prepared by Mr Holmes’ children Katie (16), Evie (11) and Oscar (9) was read out by his brother-in-law Des Clarke.
They wrote: “To Daddy, we all wish you didn’t have to leave so soon.
“We all hoped that it wasn’t real. You always said that this world was one that you didn’t want to be a part of, you said there was somewhere better.
“We know that’s exactly where you are, at one with nature, up there where you belong. We will be with you again one day, until then, we will miss you.
“Tears we cry for all the amazing memories you left in our hearts.”
The children added that their father’s spirit “will always be with us”.
Mr Holmes’ uncle Wesley Holmes said that his nephew was now “beyond hurt”.
Reading out a tribute from Mr Holmes’ father Robert Sr, he said: “Margaret and I loved our son, he was precious to us as a child, and as a manthelove that we gave to him in his life he repaid us 40- fold.
“Such happy memories, such a wonderful feeling. He had a kind heart and a loving disposition.
“He and Anne-Marie gave to us three beautiful grandchildren, who will blossom for him. They were the most precious things in his life.
“It helps a bit to know that they are part of him, that he is part of them, and they are part of us.”
A photo montage was played showing Mr Holmes with his loved ones, accompanied by a song he had written and performed.
Mr Holmes’ close friend Marty O’Kane described him as “one of the most prolific songwriters who got better andbetterwitheverysong”.
He said that the last song Mr Holmes had sent him was called Push Back The Darkness.
“In the next few days that song is going to be heard by millions of people all over the world as Robert’s friends in Snow Patrol and many others share it as a tribute to his life,” he said. “The song says that you’ve got to push back the darkness one more day, and if one person from these millions hears this and decides to stay around for one more day that will be amazing.
“Maybe hundreds of people who are vulnerable and need help will hear it and decide to stay around for one more day.
“That would be extraordinary, like Robert Holmes was extraordinary.”