More than 500 people attended the funeral in Derry yesterday of Christopher Gallagher (24), who died of malaria 10 days ago while on the final leg of a three-month backpacking trek in southeast Asia.
The Queen's University graduate died in hospital on a southern Thai island a day after he'd phoned his parents Martin and Mary and his brother Martin jnr to tell them that he was very ill and that he loved them.
He contracted the disease, despite having taken all recommended medical precautions, while trekking through the Burmese jungles in March.
The infection attacked his liver, kidneys and lungs and because he died of an infectious disease, his remains arrived at his family home at Liscloon Drive in the Shantallow area of Derry last Friday in a permanently sealed coffin.
Yesterday's requiem Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Steelstown was a celebration of his love of life, said Fr Gerard Mongan, who officiated at the Mass.
During the offertory procession, Mr Gallagher's graduation watch, which he'd never worn, together with a Manchester United top with the name Christy on it, were brought as gifts to the altar.
After Communion, friends read out to the congregation many of the e-mails he'd sent to them while on his trek around Asia.
The e-mails reflected his love of life, his love for his family and his concern for the many underprivileged people he'd met on his travels.
In a personal tribute to their son, his parents wrote on their wreath card:
"Christopher, you were a good son, you never disappointed us, we love you and we will miss you so much".
In his homily, Fr Mongan said Mr Gallagher had lived his life to the full and had built up an amazing international network of friends.
"What has been some consolation to you Martin, Mary and Martin, is that despite this huge tragedy of what happened to Christopher, the painful distance that separated you from him in his last moments, not being able to be near him or hold his hand and the feeling of total helplessness, you are very much aware that Christopher lived his short life to the full," Fr Mongan added.
Following requiem Mass, the burial took place in the City Cemetery.