Andy was a fantastic man, a firm member of the family - Linda

Andy (pictured) passed away suddenly at his Hillview Avenue home on Wednesday 7 July.

He was buried at St Patrick’s Parish Church on Saturday.

Speaking to the Times on Thursday, lifelong friend Linda Dunlop said Andy’s passing would leave a huge hole in the lives of her family.

“He was a fantastic man,” she said.

“We’re going to miss him awfully.

“He was always there for me and the weans.

“They all grew up with Andy around the place as did the grandchildren later on.

“While Andy never had a family, Joey’s family was like his family.

“He was a very important person in Joey’s life and in mine.”

Throughout his life, Andy was fascinated with motorcycle racing and was highly regarded in bike circles.

His love affair with the sport began in his early teens and spanned his lifetime.

Indeed Linda recalled days when Andy - who managed Stewart’s supermarket in Ballymoney - would change into a boiler suit on his lunch break and nip up to Joey’s garage to give it the once over.

“Even if Joey was away Andy would have been up ensuring the place was sitting right for him coming back,” said Linda.

Linda said that following Joey’s death Andy continued to visit the garage on occasions and was an integral part of the the Dunlop family.

“Andy was a great family friend of ours ever since Joey and me were 15 or 16,” said Linda.

“He was involved with us in racing since the very start and we stuck together all along.”

Andy was at Joey’s side before, during and after many races including events at the Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix when Joey was establishing himself as one of the greatest riders who ever lived.

As well as Joey, Andy was close friends with a number of riders and was secretary of the legendary Armoy Armada club, famed throughout Ireland for its exploits on the track.

Away from motorcycling, Andy was involved in a wide variety of activities. He was a member of the Orange Order - Vow Ferry Masonic Lodge No 17, Vow Ferry Masonic Lodge No 17 and Ballymoney RIsing Star LOL 954 - and Ballymoney Probus Club.

A memorial notice was also placed in the News Letter from the Glencoy Council of Kt. Masonics.

Andy had three brothers George, John and Ivan and three sisters - Anna May, Hilda and the late Frances.