Tributes paid to late Noel Ramsey

His brother and Londonderry SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey posted via his Facebook profile: “Noel has passed on this morning peacefully after a brave battle and is now at rest, there will be an explosion of love in Heaven today. Till we meet again. De Colores.”

‘De Colores’ [Spanish: in colours] is a reference to the late Mr Ramsey’s involvement in the Roman Catholic Cursillo movement.

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan expressed deep sadness at the death of a long standing colleague and a former Chair of the Derry District Executive

Mr Durkan said: “I am deeply saddened by the death of Noel Ramsey.

“Noel was a valued member and party activist who previously chaired the Derry District Executive of the SDLP.

“He battled his illness with great bravery, strengthened by a very deep faith.

“I express my sincere condolences to Pat, Noel’s wife Sharon, sons Jonathan, David and Peter, and the wider Ramsey family at this very sad time.”

The late MP Mark Durkan lately paid emotional tribute to the Ramsey family for their campaign support in the face of the late Mr Ramsey’s illness.

Upon his return as candidate in Foyle in the recent General Election, Mr Durkan, choked back tears whilst paying tribute to party activists and especially the Ramseys for helping to secure his return.

“I would like to thank Pat Ramsey, who did so at a time when he faces grave family illness but was unsparing in the effort that he put into the campaign and even today at a very sensitive and emotional time and I really appreciate that,” the Londonderry MP stated in his acceptance speech.