PRECEDED by a service at St Margaret's Church, the burial took place in Kirkley Cemetery, of Jeremiah 'Paddy' O'Sullivan who died on January, aged 85.Canon John Simpson officiated.

PRECEDED by a service at St Margaret's Church, the burial took place in Kirkley Cemetery, of Jeremiah 'Paddy' O'Sullivan who died on January, aged 85.

Canon John Simpson officiated.

Mourners were: Terry and Natalia O'Sullivan (son and daughter-in-law), grandchildren Sequoia, Ossian and Bede O'Sullivan, Mark and Josie Patten, Len and Kathy Walker, Hazel Swatman, Dawn and Eddie Rhodes, Cynthia Chippenfield, Jimmy Alexander, Sue, ex-Servicemen, colleagues from Suffolk and Ipswich Fire Brigade, Regular and Retained services, unknown friends.

Paddy was born in Canning Town in London's East End on March 17 1923. At age 17 he volunteered to join the Royal Navy in which he served with distinction on the notorious Russian convoys including the infamous PQ17 which has gone down in history as the 'convoy to hell.' He later served on a converted trawler clearing waterways from mines in the Low Countries. He was based in Lowestoft with the coastal patrol service. It was during this posting that he met his future wife, Hazel. They married in 1946 and had a son Terry.

After the war Paddy joined the Suffolk and Ipswich Fire Brigade in which he served for 27 years. Thereafter he served as a personnel officer to the Lowestoft Fishing Vessel Owners' Association. He retired at 65; having in his youth served on trawlers, he retired supporting trawler crews in times of peace.

In his social time he was a staunch supporter of West Ham United, much of his leisure time was spent visiting local beauty spots with Hazel and their dog.

Paddy will be remembered always for his devotion and love for his family. Although his loss is great, it is in the knowledge that he is once again reunited with Hazel in which his family take strength. It is with this in mind we wish them both peace and joy in the afterlife.

Floral tributes were a much valued contribution to the day; Paddy would have been excited by the floral anchor from his immediate family. Other floral tributes were from his nieces, nephews, and close friends - all expressed love towards him, which forever, will be held in fond memory. Tributes from family: Josie, Hilda, Maureen, Mark, Kathleen, Len, Michael, Jean, Joan, Ron, Ken and Jean, Maureen and John, Don, June (USA), Margaret and Kenny, Hazel Swatman and family, Purita Kovacs. Tributes from friends: Cynthia and Jimmy, neighbours in Crown Meadow Walk.

Paddy was very appreciative of staff at Carlton Court, who treated him with utmost care and kindness, no doubt bouncing off his 'cheeky cockney' sense of humour. Thanks are also extended to the staff at James Paget Hospital who saw to his comforts in his last days; to social workers and to Canon John Simpson for his compassionate support to the family. With thanks to Rivetts, Funeral Directors, Carlton Road, Lowestoft.