Tributes as Royal Irish soldier dies suddenly

Andy McFarland passed away at his home at Rosses Meadows, Ballymena on July 12.

He will be buried today (Friday).

His funeral service will be held in Green Pastures Church, Galgorm at 2pm, followed by interment in Cullybackey New Cemetery.

He was the husband of Gemma, loving daddy of Tamzin, Scott and Jay, darling son of Betty and Alan, dear brother of Derek, Amanda and Scott.

The family have requested that donations in lieu of flowers should (if desired) go to ‘Combat Stress’ c/o Logan’s Funeral Services, 12 The Diamond, Ahoghill, BT42 1JZ.

Family and friends are welcome to call at his sister Amanda’s home, 77 Rosses Farm, Ballymena.

In 2014 Andrew was among a modern day ‘Band of Brothers’ from Ballymena - all former soldiers or reservists - who took on the demanding ‘Five Peaks Challenge’ which involved climbing the highest mountains in the United Kingdom and Ireland in order to raise money for ABF - The Soldiers’ Charity.

Hundreds of tributes have been left in Andrew’s memory on Facebook.

Amy Sloan posted: “Heartbreaking, thoughts are with Gemma, there boys and Andy daughter Tamzin and the whole Mcfarland family circle, rest in peace Andy.”