Mourners at the funeral of Queen’s University Vice Chancellor Patrick Johnson have heard how the pioneering cancer researcher “profoundly changed” the lives of many people.
The 58-year-old died suddenly last Sunday and was buried yesterday following a service at St Brigid’s Parish Church in south Belfast, close to the university where he had helped establish the world-renowned Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology.
Funeral Mass was led by US priest Monsignor David Diamond of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, who befriended professor Johnson while studying at the Catholic University of America.
He praised Professor Johnson’s studies into cancer treatment – which spanned a quarter of a century and led to his recognition as one of the world’s foremost cancer researchers - as “hugely significant”, and highlighted his progression from Dean of QUB’s School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences to becoming Vice Chancellor in 2014.
“There is no article in any publication that can adequately summarize and encapsulate Paddy’s life: husband, father, grandfather, friend, physician, teacher, writer and administrator,” Fr Diamond told mourners, including DUP leader Arlene Foster and SDLP MP Alasdair McDonnell.
"The tributes have been heaped upon him in life and now the words of praise and gratitude, as well as shock and bewilderment, have sounded long and loud since this past Sunday.
“His accomplishments, amazingly earned in one brief life time, would require lesser men to live three or four lives. How many people now live because Doctor Johnston has lived? How many people’s lives have been profoundly changed because of knowing Professor Johnston?
"In so many ways, people have been deeply and intensely affected by this great man.”
Speaking of a career which also saw Professor Johnston help found several biotechnology companies including Almac Diagnostics and Fusion Antibodies, Fr Diamond added: “No one would think of cancer as a light affliction. Through his work, his research, his care for his students and his patients, Paddy tried to lighten their affliction.
“We are all immensely saddened by the shocking suddenness of his death. If there is any consolation it is in the evidence of his life. Your presence here this morning is testimony to the manner in which he lived and loved and worked and cared."
Following the service, the funeral cortege made its way from the church to University Road, where it passed the Lanyon building before beginning the journey to Donegal and Desertegney Cemetery, where he was laid to rest.
Professor Johnson is survived by his wife Iseult and four sons Seamus, Eoghan, Niall and Ruairi.
