"A gentleman, a true friend and a person of great integrity."
"A gentleman, a true friend and a person of great integrity." These were all words used to describe former Mayor of Derry John Kerr, who passed away peacefully at the Foyle Hospice on Saturday.
Mr. Kerr (73), was the city's Mayor in 1995, was one of Derry's most respected politicians and citizens.
Leading the tributes, former SDLP leader John Hume said the death of John Kerr was a very sad occasion.
"I offer my deepest sympathy to his wife Carita and his family," he said.
"No doubt they have the sympathy of the whole town, given the outstanding public service he and Carita gave."
SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey described John Kerr as a true friend and colleague.
"John was a man of total integrity who showed he had great qualities of leadership in the way he conducted the business of the City Council," he said.
"Through all that he did, the thing that shone through was his tremendous passion for education. He was a good friend to me and I will miss him."
SDLP Leader and Foyle MP, Mark Durkan also paid tribute to John Kerr.
He said:"I know just how much John was loved by his family and appreciate how deeply they, in particular, will feel his loss.
"John will also be greatly missed by his many friends, including those of us in the SDLP who had the privilege of working with him over the years. He was a hard-working and highly respected councillor, who made a major contribution to life in our city and to public life more widely.
"He had a vision of Derry, not just as a city of learning, but as a city of culture as well. He worked tirelessly, both as a councillor and as Mayor, to advance the cultural life of our city.
"He always fought Derry's corner and urged the Council to do so.
"He also fought his illness with dignity. He will be sadly mourned and sorely missed by all who knew him."
'Personal loss'
Father Michael Canny, Administrator of St. Eugene's Cathedral, said that when he heard of the death of John Kerr he felt a deep sense of personal and community loss.
"John was truly altruistic," he said. "Always generously giving of his time and his talents for the good of the community. He was deeply involved in education and always worked tirelessly to ensure the best fabric and education for pupils.
"His sense of civic responsibility was visible for all to see in his work as a councillor and his year as Mayor showed him to be not only a very capable local politician but also a person who could take his place on the bigger political stage.
"Working for the good of the local community in any way he could was the hallmark of his life. Day and night he was available and willing to be of help.
"His life of service should be a source of encouragement to others to follow in his footsteps.
"I extend personal condolences and those of the local community to his wife Carita, sons Robert and James and daughter Marie-Louise. May he rest in peace."
The Town Clerk and Chief Executive of Derry City Council, Mr. Tony McGurk paid this tribute: "John Kerr was a great ambassador not just for council but for the region and his passing is deeply regretted by members and staff of Derry City Council. We extend our condolences to his family."
The Mayor, Councillor Helen Quigley added that John Kerr had made an instrumental contribution to the city's progress over the past 30 years.
"John Kerr will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and our sympathies are with his family at this time," she said.
John Kerr's funeral will take place this morning at 10 a.m. in St. Eugene's Cathedral.
He is survived by his wife Carita, daughter Marie Louise, sons Robert and James, and grandchildren Evie Jane, Catherine and Charlie.
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Weather for Derry
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
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Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
