'˜Dad died on my wedding day now I want to give something back'

Just moments before he died, Peter Lynch senior, shared a drink with his son on his wedding day.
Peter Lynch junior pictured with his father, Peter Lynch senior, on his wedding day on March 27, 2015.Peter Lynch junior pictured with his father, Peter Lynch senior, on his wedding day on March 27, 2015.
Peter Lynch junior pictured with his father, Peter Lynch senior, on his wedding day on March 27, 2015.

Peter Lynch junior and his new wife Shauna had just got married in St. Columb’s Church, Waterside, before setting off to greet guests at their wedding reception in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana last March.

“My dad had cancer and had not been well for four years,” said Peter junior.

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“Although he was very sick, we never expected that he would die on my wedding day. “

Peter continued: “My dad called all of his children and his brothers and sisters up to the bar and bought them a drink - he collapsed and died half an hour later.”

A few moments before his father passed away, Peter junior recalled catching a glimpse of him standing at the side of the dance floor looking on while he danced with new wife Shauna.

“I think it was our second dance as husband and wife - I remember looking to the side of the dance floor and I could see my father watching Shauna and I dance - a short while later he was dead.”

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Peter junior said he will miss his father forever and described him as a “great man”.

“My dad would have been really well known throughout Creggan - he was a great man, a man I learned a lot from and I will never stop missing him.”

Peter senior was 57 years-old when he passed away and the last four years of his life were spent battling cancer.

Peter junior said it pained him to watch his father fight such an unforgiving illness but explained the situation could have been much worse had it not been for the care his father received in the Foyle Hospice.

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“God, I can’t speak highly enough of the entire team in the Foyle Hospice - I dread to think what it would have been like had they not been there.

“My dad was a really proud man and never complained but the team at the Foyle Hospice were able to give him the care he needed without him feeling like his pride was being compromised.

“I will never be able repay the care the Foyle Hospice gave to my father but I can try to give something back.”

Peter junior works for Airporter and is also a DJ. (DJ Pete Michael).

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“It was after a chat with a few friends that I decided that I wanted to organise a charity night and donate all of the money raised to the Foyle Hospice - it’s my way of thanking them for caring for my dad.”

Peter junior and fellow DJs Gary Curran, Paul P. and Jim Healy will all take turns on the turn-tables in Silver Street tomorrow night.

“All we are asking people is to donate at least £5 at the door - all the money will go towards the Foyle Hospice and helping people affected by cancer.

“I am delighted that Gary Curran, Paul P. and Jim Healy will be playing too and who knows, I might even try and re-introduce a slow set at the end of the night,” laughed Peter.

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“There will be music from the 70s, 80s and 90s so it’s sure to have music that suits everyone. We will also be hosting a few raffles - hopefully it will be a good night and the Foyle Hospice can use the money we raise towards giving another family the same brilliant care my dad received when he was sick,” said Peter.

Peter Lynch junior’s Foyle Hospice fund-raising event is called ‘On Rotation’ and will start in Silver Street in Shipquay Street at 10p.m. on Saturday night.

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