MOURNERS at the funeral of a Queen's University student who died after suffering an allergic reaction have heard how the 21-year-old had a deep love for his family and friends.
Kuba (Jakub) Bednarz died last week after fighting for his life in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast since March 25.
It is reported he suffered a cardiac arrest linked to a severe allergic reaction and passed away on Wednesday.
Originally from Poland, Jakub had lived in the north since he was two and grew up in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
He attended Christ the King Primary School before attending Christian Brothers' Grammar School.
In recent years he studied Music and Audio Production at QUB, and had been due to graduate this summer.
His funeral was held on Saturday at Christ the King Church in Strathroy, where parents Pieter and Beata, younger brother Simon and girlfriend Nuala took part in the ceremony by placing items representing his life on display, including drumsticks for his love of music, and a Poland football shirt.
Father Kevin McElhennon said: "These items are a reminder of all the things Jakub loved in his life.
"All the words spoken about Jakub over these last few weeks, and the tributes in the last few days, speak of a remarkable young man. He radiated an extreme degree of maturity and wisdom for one so young.
"He had a remarkably positive outlook on life. He was destined to do well in whatever he chose to do and to make a mark on the world."
The priest added of Jakub: "A small tattoo on his wrist was of the symbols he held so dearly - a beating heart for the love he showed his family and his friends, a treble clef for his love for a remarkable talent for music, and a crucifix for his faith in God."
In recent weeks following his allergic reaction, friends helped raise more than £27,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to pay for specialist treatment in Poland.
His mother Beata Wilewska-Bednarz spoke of her heartbreak on social media.
"With great sorrow and grief we have to inform that our son's life machine was withdrawn (on Wednesday), and Jakub passed away," she wrote.
Omagh CBS paid tribute to their former student, who they described as a "much-loved and highly respected pupil" who had "an infectious and engaging warmth that made him extremely popular with his peers and staff alike."
