The specially commissioned portrait by County Down artist Lorna Hamilton, will hang in the Gracey Room in the Orange Hall.

Members of Mr Gracey's family, led by his wife Ingrid, were among the large gathering in the main function room.

Around 20 of the extended Gracey family were the guests of honour in an event attended by Robert Saulters, Grand Master of Ireland, Drew Nelson, Grand Secretary of Ireland and Denis Watson, County Armagh Grand Master.

The Rev John Pickering, retired Rector of Drumcree, was also a guest, and the hosts were the Portadown District, led by District Master Darryl Hewitt and also including Deputy District Master Nigel Dawson and District Secretary David Jones.

The proceedings were introduced by Mr Dawson, who welcomed everyone, and prayers were led by the District Chaplain, Mr Sandy Hewitt.

outstanding

Mr Hewitt said they were meeting to pay tribute to the outstanding leadership the District had received from Mr Gracey.

Mr Gracey had been an Orangeman for over 50 years, and during that time Mr Hewitt said he had been an outstanding lecturer, who had become an international figure due to the Drumcree parading dispute.

Mr Hewitt invited Mrs Ingrid Gracey to unveil the portrait, and after doing so, she said it was beautiful, and the family were delighted.

She was then presented with a bouquet of flowers by Natalie Hewitt, a member of the Daughters of Laura Junior Womens' Orange lodge.

Mr Gracey's son, Darren, thanked everyone for the portrait, and for their attendance at the ceremony and said it was greatly appreciated by his mother and the other members of the family.

Mr Saulters, said during his 18 years as District Master, Mr Gracey had provided outstanding leadership to Portadown Orangemen. He stressed how Mr Gracey had earned the admiration of Orangemen throughout Ireland and further afield, for his firm and dedicated stand.

The Rev John Pickering, who closed the proceedings with prayer, added: "I was with him at all hours of the day and night during those times, and I saw Harold Gracey as Orange leader, with a very difficult burden to bear."

Looking at the portrait, the former Drumcree rector said, "This is a very fitting memorial to Harold Gracey."