Tony Moore was ‘a legend with a great abundance of humanity’, says priest and friend

“Quite simply, he was a legend who warmed our hearts and we were all privileged to have our lives touched by him,” said the priest at the funeral of Tony ‘Archie’ Moore today.
Anthony Moore.Anthony Moore.
Anthony Moore.

Hundreds lined the route to St Anthony’s Church in Craigavon and watched Tony’s final trip through Lurgan and past his beloved Goodyear Social Club - a testament to the high esteem he was held.

Requiem Mass for Anthony ‘Archie’ Moore was concelebrated by Fr John Byrne and Deacon Gerry Heaney.

Deacon Heaney was a personal friend and paid tribute to a man invariably described as a ‘gentleman’ a ‘legend’ who had a ‘great abundance of humanity’.

In his homily Deacon Gerry Heaney said: “This is the day we came to say farewell to Tony Moore whose death on Tuesday after a long and courageous battle with cancer has brought great sadness to his family, friends and neighbours, and to this parish community of which he was very much a part of.

“Tony was a big figure in the lives of his family. He was also a big figure in all our lives and I would like to extend a special welcome to Tony’s wife Mary, to his sons Stephen and Conor, to his daughters Cathy and Laura.

“Tony’s death was not unexpected but even so there are just no easy words we can say to take away the pain.

“It is a time of heartache, a time of tears. All we can do today is be whatever comfort we can to you at this difficult time.

“Anyone who knew Tony ‘Archie’ Moore will know that he loved the social event of a big Wake and attended many a funeral in his day and yet here we are with just his family and a few friends here in this church.

“It seems so surreal but as you all know we are living in strange times due to the restrictions imposed on us by the Coronavirus pandemic.

“If these were normal times, this church would be overflowing such was Tony’s popularity.

“He was first and foremost a giant of the community and the irony is, as much as he would have loved a big send off, he would have wanted us to do our best to respect the guidelines, to keep people safe and healthy at this unusual time.

“Thanks to the wonders of technology, many of you in the community are watching online.”

He also welcome members of Tony’s family from Australia who are also watching online.

“We were all deeply saddened that Tony has left us and it is difficult to let go of the man we came to know and love.

“We are privileged to be able to gather together as his family and friends here and online to pray for him.

“Someone once said everyone gets to preach at their own funeral by the way they lived their life.

“Well knowing Tony as I did, the man he was I believe he will preach very well.”

He refered to the Gospel which was on the Beatitudes and said Tony was ‘keenly aware’ of all the blessings.

“Those quality Jesus mentions became a lived reality for him.

“He was keenly aware of all of the blessings God had given him and he was proud to share them with everyone he knew.

“Today we mourn the death of Tony but we also celebrate a life well lived.

“Tony was a man who loved life. His family was incredibly important to him and was one of the things that distinguished him and helped define who he was as a man. He loved his wife Mary, his children and his grandchildren. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for them. The pain upon us is real but so is the joy.

“Each one of you here and each one of you watching online have a story to tell about Tony.

“We can look back at the times when Tony was so kind to so many, brightened and enriched lives.

“We can see in him love through his love for others. We can see in him compassion, honesty, integrity and courtesy and how everyone was special to him. We can see in him his wonderful sense of humour. his smile and infectious laugh which lifted all our spirits.”

He spoke of how fondly people spoke of Tony on Facebook, describing him as ‘an absolute gentleman’.

“He always had time for everbody. He was generous to a fault, always the first to give. He was a superb neighbour. He was one of life’s real gems. He was one of life’s good guys. He was always fun-loving. He was a great man to know. He never passed you by. Always ready for a chat. He was a wonderful human being and a real friend to all who knew him. He was one of the nicest people put on this earth.

“These are just some of the hundreds of comments posted on Facebook. Comments from so many who will feel his loss keenly because of the person he was and with his unique gifts he touched all our lives.

“Tony was indeed a person who had a great abundance of humanity. He cared about people all his life.

“He was born in Shankill in Lurgan whre he grew up but he would spend most of his life living in Craigavon.

“He started his working career with Farrens then went to work in the Goodyear factory when it opened in 1960 til its closure.

“He was one of the founding members of the Goodyear Sports and Social Club and he will be remembered by many as the ‘Captain of the Ship’ at the Goodyear SSC where he facilitated functions that raised thousands of pounds for charities.

“He loved and enjoyed the craic and banter with all the people who came through the door over the years.

“Tony had a great love for young people and when he was younger he worked as a volunteer youth leader for many years.

“He was also a keen supporter of Armagh, Clan na Gael and Eire Og. He loved the GAA. He was a true Gael.

“Tony Moore was truly special and that came from something within. And that something was his faith. Tony was a man of immense faith. He embraced his Catholic faith. His whole life was founded on a deep unshakeable faith.

“I had the privilege of knowing Tony. He was a great friend to me and I can pay him no greater compliment when I say he was one of the best people you’d ever meet and it was a pleasure knowing him. He was one of life’s true gents. Quite simply, he was a legend who warmed our hearts and we were all privileged to have our lives touched by him.

“Tony should have got a real good send off and I know the whole of Craigavon will come to a standstill as he gave everything to the people of Craigavon and beyond. But sadly that can’t be because of this awful virus.

“He will be a big loss.”

Anthony Moore was the beloved husband of Mary and much loved father of Stephen, Connor, Cathy and Laura, beloved father-in-law of Claire, Joanne, Gary and Cormac and a loving granda to Oísin, Naoise, Tristan, Christine, Clodagh, Cillian, Caoimhe, Caitlin, Ciarán, Jack, and Líodhna, and beloved brother of Anne and Margaret and the late William and Jim R.I.P.

After his funeral at St Anthony’s Church, interment was in St Colman’s Cemetery Lurgan.

Due to Current Circumstances House and Funeral Strictly Private for Immediate Family Only Please.

No flowers please, donations in lieu if desired to St Anthony’s Church Craigavon c/o Jack McLearnon & Son Funeral Directors 75 North Street, Lurgan BT67 9AH.

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