THE funeral of veteran republican Francie Brolly has heard that "kindness and generosity were hallmarks of his nature".
There was standing room only in St Patrick's Church, Dungiven at Requiem Mass for the 82-year-old, who died suddenly at his home near the Co Derry town in the early hours of Thursday.
Friends and relatives travelled from as far away as the US and Italy for Saturday's funeral, while politicians included Sinn Féin finance minister Conor Murphy and East Derry MLA Caoimhe Archibald, as well as Dr Anne McCloskey of Áontu.
Parish priest Fr Seamus Kelly said the funeral was "very dignified" and there were no flags or speeches, with symbols of Mr Brolly's life brought up before the Mass including a harp he had made for his wife Anne while interned in Long Kesh, his father's rosary beads that he prayed with every day, and a "treasured" Irish dictionary.
Son Joe, a GAA pundit and former All-Ireland winner, was among those to carry the coffin.
Daughter Áine and son Conal sang and two of his grandchildren did readings.
A teacher by profession, Mr Brolly was a Sinn Féin MLA for East Derry and Limavady councillor but left the party two years ago over its stance on abortion and helped found pro-life republican party Áontu.
He was also a keen Irish speaker, musician, songwriter and sportsman, having played inter-county Gaelic football for Derry and hurling and football for Dungiven.
Fr Kelly told up to 800 mourners that Mr Brolly was "a simple man" at heart and that "kindness and generosity were hallmarks of his nature".
He said he had an "unflagging loyalty" to the church and was an "integral and essential part of the choir", not only participating himself but also producing many musicians and singers as a result of his teaching.
Strongly pro-life, Fr Kelly said Mr Brolly had asked that when he died, the "emblem of the little feet of the unborn be on the lapel of his suit".
He said he had been close friends with Francie and Anne, a former mayor of Limavady, for more than three decades and recalled going with them in his brother's caravan to the fleadh in Sligo.
"There was one thing sure if you had Francie and Annie with you, you were sure of plenty of craic," he said.
He also paid tribute to Mr Brolly's involvement with Irish culture and the revival of the Irish language in the area, and said as a teacher he was "a major positive influence on generations of children who passed through St Canice’s Primary School and then St Patrick’s College".
"It seems that all his pupils loved him and really appreciated what a difference his guidance, advice and example made to their lives," he said.
"He was a real family man and with his wife Anne shared 51 years of married life together. Family was central.
"Francie shared ‘na maithe móra’ the great goods with his family - the values of family, faith, culture and community."
Mr Brolly had spent the final day of his life acting as proud sponsor for his godson Ruairí Óg at his confirmation in Belfast.
"His passing leaves a huge void in this parish but we have been privileged to have had the benefit of his wisdom and support for so long," Fr Kelly said.
Mr Brolly is survived by his wife Anne, children Joe, Proinnsias, Conal, Áine and Nodlaig and 13 grandchildren.
