Several hundred people have attended the funeral in Derry of Jim Sharkey, father of former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey.
Feargal Sharkey carries the coffin of his father Jim into St Euegene’s Cathedral.
Mr Sharkey (99) died peacefully, with his family at his side, in Abbey Nursing Home in the city on Tuesday last.
His son Feargal, who helped carry his remains in and out of the church, read a Reading from The Letter of St Paul to the Romans during Requiem Mass held in St Eugene’s Cathedral this morning.
A floral tribute from the former singer simply read “Deepest Sympathy, from Feargal and family.”
Mr Sharkey, a father-of-seven was predeceased by his wife Sibeal, a lifelong registrar of Fheis Doire Cholmcille, in 1986.
Colmcille Ladies Choir, of which the late Mrs Sharkey was a member, sang at the funeral service.
Two of the late couple’s great-grandchildren performed solo songs during the Mass.
Undertones drummer Billy Doherty was among the mourners at the funeral service, after which the late Mr Sharkey was laid to rest in the City Cemetery.
Main concelebrant Fr John McGonagle was assisted by Fr Kevin Mullan and Fr Frank Bradley, friends of the Sharkey family.
In his homily, Fr McGonagle recalled the Mr Sharkey’s life as an electrician and as member of the Irish defence forces.
The late Mr Sharkey was a prominent member of the Civil Rights movement in Derry and was a member of the ETU (Electrical Trades Union) and the Old Derry Labour Party.
Among those who paid tribute were Dermie McClenaghan, a leading member of the Labour Party and prominent Civil Rights activist during the 1960s.
He said: “I offer my condolences to his family and his friends. He was a gentleman.
“Jim was a Labour man, was a member of the ETU (Electrical Trades Union) and the Old Derry Labour Party.
Mr McClenaghan concluded: “He supported Labour politics all his life and also marched with the Civil Rights movement in the city in the late sixties.”
As lead singer of The Undertones, Feargal Sharkey had several hits in the late 1970s and early 1980s including Teenage Kicks, Here Comes Summer and My Perfect Cousin.
After splitting with the band in 1983, he went to have success as a solo artist, mostly notably with the hit single “A Good Heart” which went to No 1 in several countries including the UK in 1985.
Sharkey has been involved in the business side of the music industry since the early 1990s.
He refused to rejoin The Undertones when Derry punk band reformed, being replaced by Paul McLoone,
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