Friends and family say goodbye to Victor

FRIENDS and family of a Ballymoney biker killed in a road race paid their final respects and tributes at an emotional funeral service held on Thursday.

Victor Gilmore, 42, from Vow Road, lost his life on Sunday, September12 after a high-speed crash in the 600cc Supersport event near Skerries in north Co Dublin.

Known to his many friends as "Happy Gilmore", the father-of-three was described as someone who always stopped to chat, even if his race was about to start.

Mourners at Wellington Presbyterian Church in Mr Gilmore's home town of Ballymena heard his close friend Philip Magill pay an emotional tribute.

"It is with great sadness that we are all gathered here today, my great mate and true friend has gone and left us forever... he will never be forgotten," said Mr Magill.

"He will be missed greatly, not only by me but his father, Jim and mother, Mabel, his brothers and sisters and of course his wonderful kids who will grow up with the knowledge they had a great father who loved them so much."

Special recognition was also given to medical staff who looked after Mr Gilmore and took care of him during his road racing career.

"As we all know Victor, with his likable character, he would not want us to be sad today.

"He would want this to be a celebration of his life - although all too short, he certainly enjoyed life. In his own words, 'I've had 40-odd brilliant years, and wouldn't swap them for 60 bad ones'.

"Rest in peace mate, you did what you loved," said Mr Magill, who added that tributes paid to Victor on Facebook, were evidence of the "respect and high esteem" he was held in by friends at home and across Europe.

The Rev Eddie Kirk, from First Ahoghill, who conducted the funeral service, said the Gilmore family were "remarkable people".

"From the messages of support from all across the world, it was clear how popular Victor was," he said.

"I know his parents Jim and Mabel well, they are remarkable people who instantly make you feel at home when you visit.

"My thoughts and prayers are with them in the difficult days which are ahead."

Mr Gilmore had been due to give evidence on Monday at the inquest of a spectator killed at the Armoy road races last year.

His motorcycle hit a bank before somersaulting off the road and striking and killing Hill McCook.

Earlier this week, Mr McCook's son Alex said he was "very saddened to hear about the death of Victor Gilmore", with whom he had talked on many occasions after his 75-year-old father's death

"Victor had talked to me a few times on the phone and was quite upset about what had happened to my dad," he said.

Mayor of Ballymoney, Councillor Bill Kennedy, the Clerk of the Course at Armoy Road Races, attended last Thursday's funeral.

Cllr Kennedy added: "I knew Victor very well. He was a great character around the paddock for the last 12 to 14 years. He always was available to stop for a chat and nothing was too much trouble and his funeral reflected this.

"There was a huge crowd there which showed how popular he was.

"After the funeral I was talking to people from throughout the North and South of Ireland. Colleagues and bikers who had raced with him over the years even came along to pay their respects.

"He will be sadly missed around the racing scene but more so by his family and friends. It is another blow to Ballymoney and road racing. We all know it is a dangerous sport and it is a tragedy he died in the sport he loved. He was a well experienced rider."

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