Gerry Kelly UTV: Daughter brings mourners to laughter recounting growing up with famous dad
The daughter of popular broadcaster Gerry Kelly brought his Ardglass funeral to peals of laughter when she told of how, when growing up, she constantly had to clarify that she was not the daughter of the Sinn Fein MLA of the same name.
Mourners at St Nicholas’ Church, Ardglass heard today how they chapel had never been so full as it was for the requiem mass of the much loved ex-UTV broadcaster, after his death on Sunday from cancer.
Sarah said: "The Gerry Kelly that everyone knew from television is the one most people will remember. This Gerry Kelly interviewed huge celebrities, and some of the most interesting people imaginable. And when Claire and I were younger, we were absolutely mortified. And don't get me wrong, we were incredibly proud and secretly delighted to meet Take That or West Life.
"But we dreaded hearing someone say, 'There's Gerry Kelly Kelly', or coming and asking for his autograph.”
She added: "Claire and I even denied being his daughters in more than one occasion only to feel guilty a few moments later and admit, 'Yes, we are Gerry Kelly's daughters', before quickly adding, 'The one from the Kelly Show, not the other one'."
Her comments drew a huge swell of laughter across the packed chapel, everyone knowing she was referring to the Sinn Fein MLA of the same name.
"Growing up, without a father figure in his own life, Dad needed his mission to become the best father he could be. Claire and I couldn't have asked for more," she said.
She added: "Mum and dad would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this November, and they still behaved like newlyweds. They held hands when they walked together. They shared little private jokes, and never left each other without a kiss and a night love you. Claire and I used to cringe when we saw it. But as we get older, we came to admire it. We realised how lucky we were to witness a love like theirs."
Her father never sought recognition or fame.
"He simply did a job he loved, and being well known was a by product of that, never the reason for doing it.”
She added: "The man you saw on television was exactly the same man who sat around our kitchen table, who listened more than he spoke, and who made us all feel safe."
Her tribute prompted a standing ovation from mourners.