HUNDREDS of people lined the streets in Pill today at the funeral of “larger than life” and "one of a kind" Sean Healey who died last month aged 46.

Father-of-six Sean Anthony Healey was well known for dedicating his time to make Pill Carnival, which is being held this weekend, an annual success.

He became a volunteer at Pill Millennium Centre eight years ago and was a member of the carnival committee ever since – despite suffering from diabetes. He died on July 16 after a short battle with liver cancer.

Around 400 people took part in a procession along Commercial Road yesterday morning, following the hearse in a horse-drawn carriage to St Michael’s R.C. Church on Clarence Street.

Mr Healey’s sister, Donna Howells, read out words from all of Mr Healey’s six children, paying tribute to an “amazing dad” who was an “idol” and “our rock”.

Esther Healey, one of Mr Healey’s four daughters, sang a version of Luther Vandross’ ‘Dance with my Father’ and son Lee gave a reading.

The World’s Greatest by R Kelly was played as mourners entered the packed church, lining the sides and filling every pew and Tom Jones’ Green Green Grass of Home was played on the way out.

Sister Ms Howells said it was “wonderful” to see so many at the church.

She said: “Walking through Pill, wasn’t that amazing? Wasn’t it incredible that one person can bring everybody together?

“It’s difficult because it was so sudden. It was just too soon, way too soon.”

A letter from son Lee to his father was read out which said: “I can just be grateful I had such an amazing dad for the 21 years I have been here. 

“Everything I know is because of you. You wasn’t just a dad to me you was my idol. If I can be half the man you was to me and my family I will be more than happy. 

“All you ever wanted was a big family and you got it. You was our rock.”

He added: “You did so much unseen stuff for so many people and that’s the way you wanted it. That’s what you was as a person, pure love for everyone. 

“You were one of a kind. We will never ever see another Sean in this lifetime.”

A memory from Mr Healey’s daughter Angel was read out which said: “Daddy always gave the bestest cwtches”.

Daughter Esther also read a tribute. She said: “When I learnt something at school I would come home and before I got halfway through telling he would tell me all about it, he was like a dictionary. 

“There will never be a day when I don’t sit down and think of all the memories we had.”

Words were also read out by daughter Chanelle, who is mother to Mr Healey’s two grandchildren. She said: “The pain never goes away, it seems to get worse every day. 

“Every day I ask why, why us, why you?”

The last text messages exchanged between Chanelle and her father were read out. The last message he sent said how proud he was of her, ending with the words: “Catch up tomorrow, love you princess.”

Ms Howells read out a tribute to Mr Healey from his wife, Anne. Anne said: “Sean you are my soul mate, always was. I never needed anyone else. 

“People who knew Sean growing up knew all he wanted was a family and love. He gave me six beautiful children as well as two grandchildren. 

“You were always by our side through everything, you never let us give up hope. You gave us strength, love and happiness always. My memories of us will go on and on.”

Tracey Barrington, who described Mr Healey as one of her “oldest and most trusted friends”, also shared her memories with the congregation.

She said: “He was a mischievous child. As kids his bold and daring personality pushed us all to the limits. 

“He had a brilliant sense of humour. He developed a great passion for the Irish national language, he loved Ireland.”

The service also saw hymn Here I Am Lord sung by the congregation and a sermon by Father Richards.

Fr. Richards said: “Here lies a friend, a husband, a father. One who touched the lives of many. 

“One whose life helps us to remember that it is good to be a good person, that it pays to be a loving person. 

“Thank you Sean for being such an example to the community.”