The late John Roulston was ‘a warm-hearted man, full of fun,’ funeral hears

The funeral of warm-hearted dairy farmer John Roulston, who was killed in a farming accident, heard how “he died doing what he loved.”

John of Moneymore Little, Newtowncunningham, died following a fatal workplace accident at his family farm on Monday last. Large crowds attended John’s Service of Thanksgiving in Newtowncunningham Presbyterian Church on Friday afternoon.

Tributes were paid by John's daughters, as Helen read aloud a poem, while Louise told the congregation that from a young age, all her father ever wanted to do was farm.

“He got his wish and went to agricultural college before returning to his homeplace and building up the farm,” she said.

The congregation heard how John met his wife Susan in 1987 while she was working as a vet and the pair married four years later in 1991.

Louise described her father to mourners as “one of those very quiet people who seemed to be talking everywhere he went.” She further added that he enjoyed the simple things in life and loved a story and a joke but at the same time, “taught us the importance of a modest hard day's work and the importance of helping others.”

“He always seemed to be doing something for someone else – pulling someone out of the ditch, directing traffic at accidents or fixing punctures,” she said.

John fulfilled his lifelong ambition only months before his tragic death by travelling to Australia and he had an ‘absolute ball’ on the trip. Last year was a big year for John, as well as his big trip Down Under, he also welcomed his first grandchild.
“Daddy got himself a new title as he became Granda John for the first time. After 32 years of looking at women, he said, he got his wee man.”

Louise urged the congregation to keep their spirits up and remember the good times they had with Mr Roulston and to find comfort in those moments at this difficult time.

“A friend, farmer, brother, diet feeder, husband, daddy or granda John, all we can do is grasp on to the good memories and take comfort in the fact that when he died, he was doing what he loved, where he loved - and he was getting ready to visit the wee man that he loved,” added Louise.

Reverend Gordy McCracken of Newtowncunningham Prebystrian Church had bid farewell to the parish the day before John’s sad passing after seven and a half years to take over the reigns at Ballywillan Church in Portrush but he officiated at the funeral.

Rev McCracken said John would be remembered for his big smile and he was a man of a simple and quiet faith.
“For myself, memories of John will be just his smile. So often, he had just a smile on his face. He was such a warm-hearted man, full of fun.”

On behalf of the Roulston family, Rev McCracken thanked the emergency services, the first responders and all those who supported and helped the family since the accident. John remains were taken from the church to the adjoining cemetery.