Eamon McEvoy, one of the North's leading and popular solicitors, has died aged 64.
Born on February 20th, 1940, a member of a well-known farming and equine family in Co Down, McEvoy had a distinguished academic record at St Colman's College, Newry, and the National University of Ireland, after which he qualified as a solicitor in Northern Ireland.
He set up practice in Lurgan, Co Armagh, in 1968, later acquiring practices in Banbridge and Belfast.
He quickly established a reputation as an effective advocate in the local courts and as a shrewd and determined proponent of the civil claims of his clients.
Over a career of nearly 40 years he trained many able and now successful solicitors and, as one leading senior counsel said after his funeral, not a few barristers as well.
He rapidly rose to be one of the leading plaintiff's solicitors in Northern Ireland, noted not only for his tireless energy and great ability but a remarkable degree of selflessness in his dealings.
He did not charge personal-injury clients solicitor and client costs, in contrast to the prevailing practice elsewhere.
These qualities increasingly attracted clients, from all sections of the community and from all walks of life.
His concelebrated funeral Mass was attended not only by the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Sir Brian Kerr, senior members of the judiciary, a large number of solicitors, Queens Counsel and barristers but by many of the most substantial businessmen in the country, who had not forgotten his wise advice and counsel to them over the years.
Among others present at the funeral was his close friend, the former world champion boxer, Barry McGuigan, whose novel and complex claim against his then manager McEvoy brought to trial in seven months from service of the writ.
His spirited attempt to wind up the largest drinks company in Northern Ireland on behalf of his client, a minority shareholder, led to reportedly the largest single settlement in the history of the jurisdiction.
His interests were not confined to the law. He hunted regularly and fearlessly with the Co Down Staghounds, declining the Mastership on several occasions.
In recent years he took to racing with success, his horse, Church Place, winning half a dozen races under National Hunt rules.
He took a keen and far-sighted interest in the visual arts and was also a friend and patron of several distinguished painters.
His generosity was great, and he went out of his way to help a wide range of friends. He had a keen wit and ready laugh.
Despite the enormous demands on his time he was always ready to visit the elderly or help the young.
He was deeply proud of his devoted wife, Sheelagh (who is also a solicitor), and his four children, Philip, barrister-at-law, Chris, a solicitor in his own firm, and Simon and Eve, who are still at university.
His sudden death after a short illness will leave a huge gap in many lives.
Eamonn McEvoy: born February 20th, 1940; died March 13th, 2004