Derry community worker Peter McDonald 'a visionary' and 'peace keeper', mourners told

A well-known Derry community worker who sadly passed away on Tuesday was a "visionary" and a "peace keeper", mourners at his funeral heard on Thursday.

Tributes have poured in this week for Peter 'Duck' McDonald, who was Chair of the Greater Shantallow Area Partnership and Manager of the Leafair Community Association, following his death at Foyle Hospice this week.

He was described as "a stalwart, community leader and activist" by Sinn Fein MLA Ciara Ferguson, and "a real driving force within the Shantallow area" by the SDLP MP Colum Eastwood.

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In a moving homily during his funeral at St Brigid's Church in Carnhill on Thursday, Fr Micheál McGavigan said Peter McDonald was someone who "saw the dignity of every human person before him, and treated each one with the kindness and the respect that they deserved."

The community worker was "always seeking to alleviate injustice, fight for the underdog, and care for the vulnerable", mourners were told.

Fr McGavigan continued: "Peter's life was lived with a profound sense of purpose and dedication. His legacy will live on for generations, carried on by those he touched, inspired, and loved. Peter was a remarkable man of many gifts and he used those gifts for the betterment of his family, his community, and the world around them.

"He was a peacekeeper, a diplomat, a problem solver, always reasonable, always level-headed. In the midst of the Troubles, Peter was a protective force for his family and a beacon of hope for his community."

On his community work, he said: "He was a visionary, ahead of his time, working tirelessly for a new and better Ireland. He believed in the possibility of change and helped to usher it in with his cross community support, his dedication to justice and his unwavering belief in the power of unity and community."

He added: "Peter's love for his family was immense. His heart was always on his sleeve, showing his family and friends just how deeply he cared for them.

"Peter's passion for his community was matched only by his ability to bring people together. He was an expert organiser - a man who could see what needed to be done and had the drive to make that happen. There are countless acts of quiet kindness that he performed - deeds that may have gone unnoticed by many but were deeply felt by those he helped."

In a tribute following Mr McDonald's passing earlier this week, Sinn Fein MLA Ciara Ferguson said: "It is with deep sadness that we learn of the death of our friend and lifelong Republican and Sinn Féin activist, Peter ‘Duck’ McDonald.

"My first thoughts are with Peter’s wife Julie, his children Ciara and Darren, his grandchildren and wider circle of family and friends as we all come to terms with this tremendous loss.

"Peter was a stalwart, community leader and activist who was central in helping with the growth of Sinn Féin in the city alongside his friend, the late Tony Hassan and many others."

She added: "I have had the great privilege of knowing and working alongside Peter for over 20 years, and to witness first-hand the trailblazing work he did to help transform the Greater Shantallow area. As Chair of the Greater Shantallow Area Partnership and Manager of the Leafair Community Association, Peter had a great determination to deliver the state-of-the-art facilities now at Leafair which will serve the whole community for decades. That is his legacy."

SDLP MP Colum Eastwood said: "Peter Duck McDonald is someone I’ve worked with since my time as a councillor on Derry City Council. Peter was a real driving force within the Shantallow area of our city and I’m saddened to hear of his passing."

He added: "Thoughts with his wife Julie, children Ciara and Darren and his extended family."

Following Requiem Mass on Thursday, Peter McDonald was laid to rest at the city cemetery.

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