TRIBUTES were paid to Nigel Brown at his funeral service in the Unitarian Church, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, on Saturday.
Mr Brown, a deputy news editor with The Irish Times, who died suddenly while on holidays in Co Kerry, was a lifelong active member of the church. The minister of the church, the Rev William Darlison, described Mr Brown's contribution as "incalculable", and recalled he had served on the managing committee, the worshipping subcommittee, ran the book stall, as well as being a regular reader and preacher, and a monthly contributor to its newsletter.
He was the living embodiment of everything the Unitarian Church and movement stood for, he added. "He was a passionate believer in everyone's right to a fair hearing. He had no hidden agendas, no guile. I felt he was a person who never held grudges, who would give you the benefit of the doubt."
He described Nigel Brown as a "genial, humorous, intelligent and entertaining" man, who had a "non threatening quality" about him. He told the congregation it was not a time for brooding, but for celebrating a life.
Tributes were also paid by friends and colleagues, including Mr Dick Ahlstrom, Mr Andy Pollak and Mr Paul Murray, who worked with him in The Irish Times.
The chief mourners were his wife, Deirdre, son Jeremy and daughter Sara. The attendance included Mr Donal Nevin, a governor of The Irish Times Trust Ltd and a director of The Irish Times Ltd, representing Major T.B. McDowell, chairman. The Irish Times Ltd was also represented by the following directors: Mr Conor Brady, editor; Mr L.C. O'Neill, chief executive and group managing director; Mr Derek McCullagh, production manager; Mr Pat O'Hara, managing editor; Mr Eoin McVey, managing editor; and Mr Jim Cooke.
Many of Mr Brown's colleagues, from The Irish Times and elsewhere, were present, including Mr Douglas Gageby, the former editor of The Irish Times; Mr Gerry Mulvey, a former deputy editor, and Mr John Horgan, lecturer in journalism at DCU.
Nigel Brown was buried at Mount Venus Cemetery, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin.