"Eddie Haughey was an enigma to many, even to those who knew him," his son has told the large congregation at the Requiem Mass for the founder of Norbrook, Westminster peer and former senator.
Lord Ballyedmond of Mourne (70), as he was known, died in a helicopter crash in eastern England on March 13th alongside three others, including a Norbrook colleague and local man Declan Small who was buried on Sunday in nearby Mayobridge.
His son, also called Edward, acknowleged his father’s “complex character” which had “bravery at its core”.
The late Newry-based entrepreneur was a “demanding visionary,” he said, who could be a challenge to work with and was driven to perfection.
He was truly a “renaissance man,” he said and “lived the life of five men”.
Speaking warmly of his father, he addressed the mourners led by his mother, Mary, sister Caroline and brother James.
The congregation, which packed the Cathedral of Saints Patrick and Colman in the city, included Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who appointed the late Mr Haughey to the Seanad attended as did Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd who represented Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and Barbara Nolan who attended on behalf of Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore.
The congregation included Assembly members from across the parties at Stormont.
Industry minister Arlene Foster was present as was Sinn Fein members Caitriona Ruane and Conor Murphy.
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie led a large group of SDLP members. A friend of the deceased, Ulster Unionist peer Lord Kilclooney, the former John Taylor, attended while Lady Duckworth attended on behalf of the British royal family.
Lord David Trimble and his wife Lady Daphne was there, as was Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt along with Stormont colleagues.
Baroness Nuala O’Loan, who was the former Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, was also in attendance.
Justice minister and Alliance leader David Ford attended as did sporting figures Pat Jennings, the former Northern Ireland soccer goalkeeper, and Jarlath Burns, now a BBC GAA pundit and headmaster of St Paul’s school in nearby Bessbrook, Co Armagh.
Canon Francis Brown, the celebrant, spoke of the deceased’s motivation to succeed.
“Edward did not have an easy childhood, as his father died tragically before he was born,” he said.
“It is thought that this may have had a motivating effect on his ambition to be successful. He always spoke fondly of his mother and encouraged others to cherish the time available with their parents.”
“He was a self taught, hard working, determined individual who had a thirst for knowledge,” Canon Brown continued, before detailing the significant contribution the deceased made to the community in south Down, Armagh and north Louth.
“Edward made many significant donations over the years to educational establishments and charitable organisations,” he said.
“Most of these were never published and many charities and schools in the locality benefitted. He had a keen interest in the development of the science subjects in all educational establishments.”
The late Lord Ballyedmond “was someone who had during his life a great influence on so many people both family and friends,” he said. “He was also someone who had a huge love of nature, flowers and trees, very much in touch with nature.”
Norbrook employees said the Prayers of the Faithful, which included reference to those who died alongside Lord Ballyedmond in the helicopter crash.
The cortege left the cathedral, led by PSNI outriders for Kilcurry in Co Louth for burial.
As it left Newry, the late entrepreneur’s coffin was taken past the head offices of Norbrook where some of the 1,700 staff lined the route in tribute.