Hundreds watch funeral of community stalwart Peter Toland via Facebook live

Hundreds of mourners lined the route as the community worker made his final journey from his Craigavon home this morning.

Mr Toland, who was chairman of Meadowbrook Community Association, was a popular and highly respected figure in the Craigavon area.

He passed away on Saturday morning after a long illness.

As his cortege left his home in Meadowbrook, hundreds gathered outside their homes and along the two mile route to St Anthony’s Church in Craigavon.

They stood on the roadside at Drumbeg, Ardowen, Tullygally and into Legahory.

Mr Toland’s funeral was live streamed on Facebook this morning with more than 500 people watching as a small number of Pete’s closest family attended Requiem Mass.

The priest at his funeral, Fr John Byrne, said: “The world can be a very bewildering and cruel place, particularly in the situation we are living through.”

Fr Byrne said: “Peter grew up in Shankill, Lurgan and went to the Sacred Heart Primary School and St Paul’s Junior High School. He went to work in a factory in Lurgan but he fell into ill health.

He spoke of how Peter met his wife Sheila and raised a family in Craigavon.

Fr Byrne added: “He formed Tullygally Football Club and ran it for 10 years and he was chairman of Meadowbrook Residents Committee for 26 years.

“Peter also loved fishing and founded Tullygally Phoenix Sea Angling Club and they travelled the country, fishing and having plenty of craic.”

He spoke of how Peter had a great sense of humour and how highly he was regarded in his local community.

“They have paid tribute to him over recent days with a candle light vigil and also when he left his home in Meadowbrook this morning.”

Fr Byrne said: “Peter was the ‘go-to man’. He helped out when someone moved into Meadowbrook with whatever they needed. If someone needed help, Peter would get it done. That is his legacy.”

On Sunday, such was the outpouring of grief at his death, the local community gathered outside their homes and in the large square outside his home with candles.

Pete is the husband of Shiela and father of Joseph and Michael and the late Toni also grandfather of Kaitlyn, Jayden and James.

He his also mourned by his brothers, sisters and wide family circle as well as the many in the community he helped.

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