By Ryan Sands
A young Crossgar man who died in a tragic accident on Christmas Eve has been laid to rest. The funeral service for Callum McVeigh was held in Raffrey Presbyterian Church on Monday (29 December), after which he was interred in the adjoining graveyard.
The 23-year-old passed away at the scene of a single vehicle accident, which involved a forklift. This occurred on a laneway off the Holywood Road in the Craigantlet area of Newtownards last Wednesday.
Speaking at the funeral, Rev Brian Small said that the numbers in attendance indicated the “warmth, regard and respect” with which Mr McVeigh was held in the community. “The family appreciates this attendance today and wants to thank everyone for your kind words and sympathy and prayerful and practical support,” he began. “Your attendance here today is indeed very much deeply appreciated.”
The minister extended the “deepest and most sincere sympathy” of the church’s congregation to the talented footballer’s parents, Marcus and Lisa, brother Ethan, girlfriend Esther, and wider family circle. “Lord, we thank you for the resilience and the courage and the peace and the serenity and the bravery that you have endowed them with over these past few trying, bewildering and sad days,” he stated. “You have accompanied them, by your grace.”
Rev Small described how Mr McVeigh had, as a toddler, “discovered his passion for football”, after which “he had a ball at his feet” everywhere he went. Continuing, he added that the Crossgar man’s love for football “came from going to Northern Ireland matches with Marcus from a young age and playing for Saintfield United”, which had “started him on his football journey”.
Getting picked for the Manchester United School of Excellence, trials for English Premier League clubs, selection for the Northern Ireland Schoolboy International U18 squad, representing County Down in the Milk Cup, a Steel and Sons Cup victory with Linfield Swifts, and spells at various clubs – including Glentoran, Portadown, Ards, Knockbreda and, most recently, Killyleagh YC – were among the highlights that followed.
The minister said that, although devastated that a knee injury meant he “did not achieve his dream of Premiership football”, the local man “remained positive and applied his energy and experience to helping others”. He had also followed his father’s footsteps in joining Raffrey Pipe Band as a drummer – he later joined Inch Flute Band – Drumreagh Apprentice Boys, Raffrey Faith Defenders LOL and Raffrey Guiding Star RBP. Mr McVeigh also “chose to work with his dad”, emerging “as a leader in the family business, the go-to man when problems required solving”.
Rev Small described how the Crossgar man “came to faith” on 4 June 2023 at the Free Presbyterian Church in Comber, adding that “his life was changed by his faith”. “He lived his life through Christ – from having bible references and quotes on his shin guards, socks, football boots as well as his sweatshirts,” the minister stated. “He was proud to witness and display his faith. He never shone more brightly than when he met Esther at Comber Free. Esther brought the best out of Callum – with her, he was truly content and extremely happy.”
The minister stressed that Mr McVeigh had “loved his baby brother Ethan” and was “always looking out for him and taking care of him”, before reading out familial tributes from his brother, father and mother.
His brother’s tribute read: “It will forever be an honour to have you not only as a best friend, but the loving, caring and cheeky big brother I remember you as.” His father wrote: “He was my business partner, my best friend, but, most importantly of all, my son, and I look forward to meeting him again in Heaven.” His mother stated: “Callum had a kind heart, a caring nature, and he always saw the best in people. He had time for everyone. He was always interested in others and had time for a chat. He loved life, and he had lived it to the full, always on the go, planning his next adventure. Whatever you asked Callum to do was never too much trouble, and he always went above and beyond to help.”
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