Funeral details have been announced for Gary ‘Cookie’ McLoughlin, who passed away following a road-traffic collision outside Newry at the weekend.
The Bessbrook man was involved in a collision on the Forkhill Road between a male pedestrian and a Nissan car at around 10.40pm on Saturday night.
He was taken to hospital following the collision but sadly died from his injuries a short time later.
A death notice described him as the devoted father of Matthew, much loved son of Jim and Mary-Ann and treasured brother of the late Keith.
His remains will repose at his late residence, 17 Mill Meadows, Bessbrook, tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday from 2pm until 8pm.
The funeral service will take place on Thursday at 3pm in St. Brigid’s Church, The Meadow, with burial afterwards in Monkshill cemetery.
The house is strictly private on the morning of the funeral.
Gary – a football fanatic – was a friend to so many and his sudden and untimely passing on Saturday night has permeated right through the wider Newry district and further afield.
Among those paying tribute on social media was the Newry and District Pool League, who have cancelled all league pool activities this week following the passing of their former player.
In a post on Facebook, they said: “Newry and District Pool League Committee and players want to express their deep sorrow and regret at the death of a friend and fellow player Gary ‘Cookie’ McLoughlin.
“To his father Jim and mother Mary-Ann and to his son Matthew, we wish to pass our deepest sympathies and wish to let them know that Cookie was held with the highest esteem by all pool players across our league.
“Cookie has played in Newry Pool League close to 20 years and made many friends across all Divisions and Competitions.
“In the season 2022/23 he was a member of the League winning Hustlers pool team and in fact had first joined the Hustlers team some fifteen years previous.
“His love for pool was indeed infectious and only last week he played in an individual Competition held by the CWC Club and was delighted with winning and making it through to the quarter finals.”
It continued: “Matthew his son was never far from his side. Cookie was clearly so proud of Matthew and Matthew we know, was very proud of his Da.
“On Saturday past Cookie took part in a Pool tournament in Newry and again his smile lit up the room. If Cookie wasn’t fist pumping somebody, he was banging the balls in to the pocket like Alex Higgins or high-fiving his many friends.
“Some people never knew Cookie before he entered the hall but by the time they left they left with a new friend.
“Cookie will be missed by all his fellow pool players and friends. In his short life he has added much to those that had the fortune to know him. Newry Pool salutes our friend and colleague Gary ‘Cookie’ McLoughlin. No words can express our loss.”
