Newry man Declan remembered as a ‘true gentleman’

According to Declan’s funeral notice, posted by McGennity Funeral Directors & Stone Masons's, he passed ‘peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and friends. Beloved son of Siobhan and loving brother of Kevin.

‘Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects today (Friday 30th October) between 2pm and 9pm (at 4 James Connolly Park, Newry). The house is private on Saturday morning please. Removal on Saturday morning (31st October) at 11.15am, arriving for Mass at 12 noon in The Chapel of Ease, Monkshill. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

‘Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, to WAVE Trauma Centre c/o the donations box in the home or any family member.

‘May he rest in peace’.

Declan has been remembered in hundreds of tributes on social media, with those who knew him describing him as a ‘true gentleman,’ a ‘lovely lad,’ and a ‘beautiful young man’.

McGuigan’s Bar remembered him as a ‘real friend’.

“It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Decky McAteer, one of McGuigan’s true gentlemen, quiet, polite and a real friend to any who knew him,” they wrote on social media.

“His death comes after an illness which he fought to the end and never complained, always a positive smiling face. Decky you will certainly be missed by all at McGuigan’s Bar.

“May he rest in peace.”

Declan was a huge supporter of Newcastle United, and a member of supporters’ group ‘The Irish Mags’. Following his passing, they have opened a GoFundMe page to raise money for his family’s choice of charity – Wave Trauma Centre.

If you wish to donate, you can do so at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/declan-mcateer-irish-mags-charity-collection-rip?utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo04glzd0r&fbclid=IwY2xjawVRRwhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAWJyaWQRMHlHWHVZNXg1VFdKdzROZXFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEfNGhs2rrX3JmAnvNChsbuFYCsik2anXH4CjoQiH6LAqSKMF_S4YmqvlFGOy8_aem_wQVjh6vd2ncLfkFsukF67A