Family unveil memorial to murder victim
A MEMORIAL to a murdered Co Antrim teacher has been unveiled on what would have been his 66th birthday.
Scores of people attended a ceremony at Crumlin Leisure Centre, where a tree was planted and a summer seat installed in memory of Robert Flowerday.
The body of Mr Flowerday, a retired Antrim Grammar teacher, was discovered at his home on Mill Road in Crumlin on January 28 last year.
The memorial seat bears the inscription: “In loving memory of Robert Flowerday 1953-2018. Sit a while and rest a while, think of him and smile.”
The ceremony took place last Thursday, the day Mr Flowerday would have turned 66.
Mr Flowerday’s brother Alan paid tribute to everyone who helped make the day a success.
“The Flowerday family cannot
A tree has been planted and a summer seat installed in memory of murdered teacher Robert Flowerday (left) in Crumlin. Right: the plaque on the bench
thank the people of Crumlin enough,” he said.
“As the inscription says, ‘sit a while, rest a while, think of him and smile’.”
Mr Flowerday asked people to sign a book of remembrance placed in the leisure centre.
Mr Flowerday’s sister Pat read a poem entitled Remembering Robert.
Paying tribute, Paul Michael, the mayor of Antrim and New-
townabbey, described Mr Flowerday as a “fine gentleman” whose life was tragically cut short.
“This past 13 months must have been so difficult and painful,” he said.
“It can only be unimaginable. That loss was also felt in the whole community as we gathered for the candlelit vigil here in Crumlin some months ago.”
Mr Michael said the ceremony was about remembering Mr
Flowerday and his association with Crumlin.
He said the memorial and tree would be in place for many years and would “keep Robert’s name in our hearts and in our minds”.
He added: “This bench will be a place for people to sit. I think this is so fitting as Robert, a former teacher and tutor whose life had made such an impact on the lives of many children.
“The tree will grow and ma-
ture and will be here for decades, possibly hundreds of years. It will serve as a reminder to us all of a fine gentleman and an outstanding citizen, a man full of gentleness, kindness and love.”
He added that Mr Flowerday was a great inspiration to many.
Presbyterian minister Leslie Addis, who grew up in Crumlin, praised the community for the sensitivity with which they handled the “really tragic event”.
He said: “I know Robert’s family are very, very thankful and appreciate it very much.
“I would also like to commend Robert’s family, who I think have conducted themselves with incredible dignity and incredible integrity off the back of an incident that was utterly tragic and absolutely horrific.
“I want to commend them for their integrity and dignity and also for what I see their commitment to pursue justice for their brother, Robert.
“I am sure that is all our prayer today that justice will be done in this scenario.
“I think it will be wrong for us also not to say the kind of man we are here to remember.”
He added: “It would be wrong not also to say that it is our prayer even for whoever has been responsible that they would not only come to experience justice but come to experience the love of mercy and the forgiveness of the peace of God.”