Tributes paid to 'true gentleman'

Wesley 'Wes' Donnell was inextricably linked to Newbuildings Community and Environment Association, and died just hours after socialising with friends.

Praised as a 'true gentleman' and an 'inspiration to others' by those who knew him, Mr Donnell is survived by his wife, Lynn, children Lisa and Adam, and wider family circle.

Among the first to praise Mr Donnell's dedication to community life was Brian Dougherty, Director of St Columb's Park House, who said he had known Mr Donnell for many years.

"Wes was very pro-active in the community sector and very much a volunteer, he did what he did for the love of his community in Newbuildings. He initiated a lot of programmes when he retired after the UDR, and very quickly put his energies into building the community. He always appeared to have a great sense of passion for the local community and the Protestant community. He was a great advocate for equality and equal rights for everyone and took his knowledge into both communities after his retirement," he said.

Mr Dougherty continued: "He was always a strong advocate for self-help and retraining and encouraging people to improve their quality of life, and that is where he will be sorely missed in terms of his community sector commitment. When someone is as active as Wes it leaves a huge void. He was always interested in what we were doing and what other organisations were doing and was always discussing what could be put forward. He was very pro-active and an inspiration to others. Wes was just one of those people who did things off his own bat, he was never idle.

"His death is a great shock to his family and wider family circle, who have our sympathy," Mr Dougherty said.

Chairman of Newbuildings Community and Environmental Association, Kenny McFarland, said it was difficult to put into words what Mr Donnell's death meant to those who knew and worked with him.

"Wes was a valued member of the community and an inspiration to many young people and you just have to look at Facebook to see the tributes and see what he meant to the young people and other people who knew him.

"He will be remembered for the time that he had for everyone he met, for the way in which he encouraged people to achieve their potential, he was that type of character.

"Wesley was a true gentleman and a great friend. He put everyone he met before himself and it is very difficult to put into words what he meant to people. He was integrally linked with the community centre here in Newbuildings and when we were starting out from the outset he was involved in youth work through the youth club, and was very good at working with young people and making a positive connection with them," Mr McFarland said.

He added: "Wesley treated everybody with respect and had time for everyone he met, but it was through his work with young people that he excelled. He had a natural rapport with young people and encouraged and helped them in every way to achieve their best. His passing is a huge loss and on behalf of the Association we extend out deepest sympathy to his wife, Lynn, children Lisa and Adam, and the wider family circle."

Meanwhile, the management and governing body of Bonds Glen Cricket Club has paid tribute to the late Sylvia Curry, from Donemana, who died on Monday last at a relative's house.

In a statement the Club said: "It was with deep sadness that we received the sad news on Monday, September 13 that Sylvia Curry had passed away after a tragic accident.

"Sylvia was a supporter of Bonds Glen and attended fundraising and social events, and on occasions attended games when her sons Jason and Leslie where playing for the 1st or 2nd XI. She also supported Matthew when he turned out for charity games.

"Sylvia's daughters, Denise and Caroline also came along at times to cheer on the Bee Gees. With Sylvia's father, Sam McClintock, President of Bonds Glen, her sister Ann, brothers Ken and Jimmy prominent members and supporters and also the rest of her family Rae, Gwen, Wilhelmina, Alan and her mother, Sadie, supporting events, it was a real family affair," the Club said.

"We pass on our deepest sympathy to her husband Kenny and the wider family circle at this terrible time."

A close family friend described the late Mrs Curry as "a really lovely lady with a smile for everyone".

"We are all very shocked. We could not believe it when we heard about it. Everyone in Donemana is very shocked. Sylvia comes from a very well-known family. She was a lovely lady and always had a smile for everyone. Anyone that would have known her would have had a good word about her. This is just so sad," he said.

"Sylvia was married with a grown up family and had grandchildren, all of whom she adored. She will be badly missed by everyone," he said.