Newry SDLP Councillor Michael Savage has led the tributes to former SDLP Mayor and highly respected former councillor John McArdle who passed away on Sunday night.
Councillor Savage said: “I was proud to call John McArdle a very dear friend and mentor and I will miss him dearly. He was a great family man, a man of integrity with unyielding faith who worked tirelessly for the people of this area as a valued member of the nursing staff at his beloved Daisy Hill Hospital and then as a public representative for many years on Newry and Mourne District Council where he served a term as Mayor.
“Over the years John and I forged a strong friendship and throughout many election campaigns he would have offered sage words of advice and kept the craic going with his fantastic sense of humour.
“He believed strongly in the SDLP principles of respect and equality and the need to protect the most vulnerable in our society which stemmed from his deep faith as a dedicated parishioner at the Church of the Assumption Drumalane.
“The SDLP family across Newry is mourning the loss of a dear friend and colleague. My heart goes out to John’s family who he loved deeply. My sincere condolences go to John’s wife Patricia who cared for him throughout his illness and to John’s sons Cathal and Ciaran and the wider family circle at this very sad and difficult time. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”
ENDS
CLANRYE NEWS 