THE funeral in Derry today of the North’s leading civil rights leaders Ivan Cooper has heard him described as a “man ahead of his time”.
He was one of the leaders of the civil rights march in Londonderry in 1972 that ended in 13 people being shot dead on Bloody Sunday.
Irish President Michael D Higgins and Pat Hume, wife of John Hume, attended his funeral service at St Peter’s Church in Culmore.
Veteran SDLP politicians Brid Rodgers and Alasdair McDonnell and family members of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday were among those who attended the funeral service.
The campaigner for justice and equality for all died on Wednesday, aged 75.
Mr Cooper’s daughter Sinéad said she hoped her father would be remembered as “as someone who always believed we should move forward”.
“What I will miss most of all is my dad’s amazing insight,” she said.
“He had a brilliant, practical mind and I always trusted his judgement.”
Mr Cooper was a founding member of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and played a major role in the NI Civil Rights Association.
He was born into a working-class Protestant and unionist family in Killaloo, County Londonderry, in January 1944.
In his funeral oration, Archdeacon Robert Millar said Mr Cooper “wanted a future better than the past”.
“He challenged all of us, whatever part of the community we came from and whatever our position in society,” said Archdeacon Millar.
Mr Cooper was briefly involved in unionist politics before later becoming involved with the civil rights movement and with constitutional nationalism.
Ivan Cooper receiving his honorary doctorate from President Michael D Higgins. PIC BY NORTHWEST NEWSPIX
“He regarded as a controversial figure, even divisive in some people’s eyes.
“That didn’t stop him – he believed that he had right on his side.”
Archdeacon Millar finished his address by appealing to politicians to “make Ivan’s vision a reality”.
“The best thing all of us can do is finish the job that Ivan Cooper dedicated most of his life to: the task of building a better community.”
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said it was a “very sad day for the city and the SDLP family”.
“It’s a day to remember Ivan’s legacy – he was born to break the mould,” he added.
After today’s funeral, Mr Cooper was being laid to rest at Altnagelvin cemetery.
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