FORMER Irish Timesbusiness editor Bill Murdoch was a man who "pushed a lot into his life", Fr Liam Belton told mourners at his funeral on Saturday.

Addressing the congregation at the funeral Mass in St Patrick's parish church, Kilquade, Co Wicklow, Fr Belton described Mr Murdoch as a "very hospitable, generous and kind man" with many interests beyond the world of financial journalism in which he worked for more than 30 years.

He recalled Mr Murdoch's devotion to his wife Bernadette and his love of his garden and of cooking. "He pushed a lot into life, even taking up photography following his retirement from The Irish Times."

Bernadette Murdoch was chief mourner at the funeral. Also in attendance were Mr Murdoch's brothers Laurence and Henry and his sister Hilary.

Music at the ceremony was provided by soloist Colette Grant, Mrs Murdoch's sister, accompanied by her husband Michael on organ.

Among the mourners were many former colleagues from The Irish Timesand other media, including Irish Timesmanaging editors Eoin McVey and Joe Breen, business editor John McManus, former property editor Jack Fagan, former news editor John Armstrong and former business editors Andrew Whittaker and Don Buckley.

The business community was represented by, among others, RTÉ chairwoman Mary Finan, formerly managing director of Wilson Hartnell Public Relations; former head of corporate affairs at Diageo Pat Barry; and by Moore McDowell, economics lecturer at University College Dublin.

Mr Murdoch, who had been ill for a short time, died on Wednesday at the age of 72. He joined The Irish Timesin 1968 and worked for the paper, with one short break, until his retirement in 2001.

He continued to work as a columnist for the newspaper until his final illness.

Mr Murdoch will be cremated today in a private ceremony.