The funeral of a highly regarded Craigavon community worker heralded as the ‘go to man’ took place earlier this week.
Peter Toland, who was chairman of the Meadowbrook Residents Association, passed away at his home on Saturday.
He had played an active role in his local community for many years and was highly respected within the area.
A small number of Pete’s closest family attended Requiem Mass while hundreds tuned into a live streamed offered up by his heartbroken brother via Facebook.
Fr. John Byrne commented that many people knew Peter in many ways during his life.
Peter grew up in Shankill attending bother the Sacred Heart Primary School, and then St Paul’s.
He worked in a factory in Lurgan but, unfortunately, he began to fall into bad health.
Fr Byrne added: “He did though meet his wife Sheila and they were married for 35 years. Initially they lived in Drumbeg and then finally in Meadowbrook.
“One thing about Peter is he was a great community man, a great man for the social life. He founded the Tullygally football team and ran it for 10 years; he was also the chairman of the residents’ committee for 26 years.
“I am told also that Peter loved fishing and was part of the Tullygally Phoenix Sea Angling Club with many good friends. They travelled the country fishing, having great fun and craic.”
He added that Peter was known for his “great sense of humour”.
“He was devoted for many years to the Meadowbrook community and I know he will be greatly missed by the people around and about.
“They have paid tribute to him over the last few days to him with a candle lit vigil and coming from Meadowbrook to here and also leaving here to the graveyard there will be a guard of honour.
“Peter was the ‘go to man’. He helped out when someone moved into Meadowbrook with whatever they needed. If someone needed help, Peter would get it done. That is his legacy.
“That is how he will be remembered, he gave rather more than he asked for.”
