'Gentle by name and gentle by nature' hundreds attend Arthur's funeral

One of Lurgan's most iconic and well known character's Arthur Gentle was laid to rest last weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Apr 2016, 11:12 BST
Updated 28th Apr 2016, 13:29 BST
F family and friends at the funeral of Arthur Gentle.F family and friends at the funeral of Arthur Gentle.
F family and friends at the funeral of Arthur Gentle.

A giant in the world of scrap dealing, Arthur passed away aged 84 at Craigavon Hospital Wednesday April 20.

“He was Gentle by name and gentle by nature”, his family said.

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And while he was highly respected in the world of scrap dealing having ran a business from his William St home up until 15 years ago, he was first and foremost a family man.

Pictured are family and freinds at the funeral of Arthur Gentle from his home in William St LurganPictured are family and freinds at the funeral of Arthur Gentle from his home in William St Lurgan
Pictured are family and freinds at the funeral of Arthur Gentle from his home in William St Lurgan

Indeed he had 11 children, 38 grandchildren, 100 great-grandchildren and several great great grandchildren who all adored him.

Family and friends from across the globe gathered at his home where his remains were carried on a traditional flat cart drawn by a horse.

Requiem Mass was said on Saturday at St Peter’s Church followed by his burial at St Coleman’s Cemetery.

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Mr Gentle came from the ancient gypsy community and was very proud of his heritage.

Family and freinds at the funeral of Arthur Gentle.Family and freinds at the funeral of Arthur Gentle.
Family and freinds at the funeral of Arthur Gentle.

He had a lifelong love for horses which he passed onto his family.

Mr Gentle was predeceased by his wife Margaret last November and was father of Bridget, Ann, Arthur, Ada, Teresa, Agnes, Linda, Caroline and Isobel and the late Freddie and Ben.

His daughter Teresa described her father as ‘a legend’.

“He was a real character and even was on TV.”

The late Arthur Gentle in his younger days with his son the late Freddie GentleThe late Arthur Gentle in his younger days with his son the late Freddie Gentle
The late Arthur Gentle in his younger days with his son the late Freddie Gentle

She said her father had given money to charity, attended fairs and was a good yodeller.

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His other daughter Linda said they lived at Castle Lane, Lurgan, for 45 years in mobiles and caravans.

His family explained that his family wanted for nothing.

His granddaughter Emma Creaney said: “He never had enemies, nobody ever spoke a bad word about him.

Pictured are family and freinds at the funeral of Arthur Gentle from his home in William St LurganPictured are family and freinds at the funeral of Arthur Gentle from his home in William St Lurgan
Pictured are family and freinds at the funeral of Arthur Gentle from his home in William St Lurgan

“He was a well-respected character and a gentleman.

“He would have lived in a wagon when he was a boy and when he got married he was living in a barrel-topped wagon along with his first four children.

“Then they moved into a mobile caravan.”