Air crash victim 'a loyal family man'

A former seaman killed in the Cork plane crash was loyal and dedicated to his family, his funeral heard today.

Captain Michael Evans and wife Andrea were “soulmates”, the Harbour Master of Belfast Port said.

Captain Kevin Allen addressed crowds of mourners at the Sinclair Seamen’s Presbyterian church in Belfast’s docklands where Capt Evans’ wife and four children, Darren, Dean, Rebecca and Jordan, led mourners.

Capt Evans, a gruff-talking and hard-working ex-deep sea mariner, 51, from Hartlepool, was one of six killed in the accident in thick fog at Cork airport last Thursday on a flight from Belfast.

A funeral was held earlier today for another victim, Belfast businessman Richard Noble, in Belfast.

Cap Allen said the work of his late colleague and Deputy Harbour Master in Belfast Port on the 2009 Tall Ships festival exemplified him.

“Michael worked tirelessly to ensure every marine aspect was right – and he did it his way with a tenacity, enthusiasm, a huge energy – and through that work he gained the respect of all the organisations he came in contact with,” he said.

Among the mourners were Donal Walsh, a student from Waterford, and Laurence Wilson, from Co Antrim, who survived the Manx 2 crash. They embraced Andrea Evans as they stood feet from the coffin outside the church.

Also there were Lord Mayor of Belfast Pat Convery and Col Michael McMahon, representing President Mary McAleese.

The church is full of naval and shipping memorabilia and the pulpit has a ship’s prow integrated into it.

Following the service conducted by the Rev Drew Abernethy, Capt Evans was buried in a private ceremony at Carnmoney Cemetery in north Belfast.

He joined Belfast Harbour in 2002 as Assistant Harbour Master before being promoted three years later.

Capt Evans worked in the 1980s as an employee of the China Navigation Company of Hong Kong. He was later employed at P&O Ferries’ Northern Ireland operation.

Capt Allen added he had hankered after a move ashore.

“Andrea has told me he found the transition ashore difficult – He missed being the captain on his ship and the camaraderie of his crew,” he said.

“But by the time I came to the harbour in 2006, it was clear to me that he adored working here and was an integral part of the port and its community.”

He said Capt Evans and his wife were soulmates.

“In all the time that I have known him he has been unwavering in his loyalty and dedication to his family,” he added.

Capt Allen said he was completely fearless, sharp-witted and funny. He was also fair and generous and a person of great faith.

Meanwhile, the funeral of Mr Noble was held at Roselawn Crematorium in the south of the city.

Derbyshire-born Mr Noble, 49, lived in Jordanstown and is survived by wife Allison and daughter Charlotte.

He worked for the Danwood Group, which supplies office printing equipment and document management services in Ireland and the UK.

Funerals for two of the other victims were held on Monday.

Co Tyrone businessman Brendan McAleese, 39, who was a cousin of President McAleese’s husband Martin, was buried after a funeral service at St MacNissius Church in Tannaghmore, Antrim.

A funeral for 45-year-old Pat Cullinan, a partner in leading accountancy firm KPMG in Belfast, took place at St Patrick’s Church in the Co Tyrone village of Cranagh.

The other victims were Spanish pilot Jordi Gola Lopez, 31, and co-pilot Andrew Cantle, 27, from York.