Funeral held for historian and News Letter columnist Gordon Lucy

The Fermanagh man passed away on September 24 in the Royal Victoria Hospital after a short illness, aged 69. He is survived by his two sisters, Janet and Anne, a brother-in-law, Geoff, and two nieces, Rebecca and Rachel.

A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Gordon was held today (Monday) in St Nicholas Parish Church, Lisburn Road, Belfast at 11am.

The service was conducted before a large group of mourners by Rev Trevor Johnston, with a Scripture reading (Psalm 90) by Gordon's niece, Rebecca Coley.

Piper Mark Smyth led the procession out of the church at the end of the service.

Burial took place in Breandrum Cemetery, Tempo Road, Enniskillen.

A prolific author, Gordon grew up in Enniskillen and was educated at Portora Royal before studying history at Queen's University Belfast.

He qualified as a teacher but went on to become general manager in the Ulster Society, where he led a team of 60 researchers.

An early adviser and speechwriter for David Trimble, he went on to become publications officer with the Ulster-Scots Network in the early 2000s.

Retiring three years ago, he continued to write his Monday column in the News Letter, as he had done for the past decade, covering a wide range of historical figures and events.

A member of the Cross of St Patrick LOL 688, he served for many years as Lay Chaplain and was a Past Master.

Gordon was a dedicated Anglican and follower of Jesus Christ.