Dr John McKelvey - a man truly dedicated to serving the community

Late of Shellinghill Road, Cullybackey, he passed away peacefully at Prospect Private Nursing Home on Sunday.

A doctor in the village for many decades, he was held in the highest regard by local people not only for his unstinting dedication to health and social care but for his significant contribution to the improvement and development of the community in which he lived.

Dr McKelvey played a formative role in the establishment of the first Cullybackey Village Improvement Committee in the 1950s and also spearheaded the development of the playing fields and tennis courts at Pottinger Street, known locally as The Hill.

Ballymena Borough Council awarded him the first ever Civic Community Recognition Award and unanimously decided to rename Cullybackey Community Centre in honour of Dr McKelvey.

A thanksgiving service for his life will be held today (Tuesday) in Cullybackey Reformed Presbyterian Church preceded by private interment at the adjoining burial ground.

Dr McKelvey is survived by his wife, Sheila, children Ruth, John and David, and wider family circle.