Comments | slovobooks: Al Darragh RIP

slovobooks

Al Darragh RIP

Dec 06, 2010 18:19

I have just heard that Al Darragh, a well-known Belfast SF fan and occasional con-runner, has passed away. There is more information in this post on the 2011illustrious page. I only knew Al a little, from running into him at cons in Dublin and Belfast, and I don't know what it was he was suffering from before he died, but I do know he was definitely younger than ( Read more... )

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slovobooks December 7 2010, 00:13:21 UTC

Yes, now you mention it, I remember he had diabetes. That's a terrible thing to have happen, though, especially in these times. You'd think that modern medical science would be able to handle something like that. It's terribly sad, particularly as I believe he was married. What age was he, do you know?

xipuloxx December 7 2010, 01:24:22 UTC

Hi Pádraig, yes he was indeed married; you may have met his wife Joanne as she used to go to Mecon, as of course did he. I haven't seen much of them in recent years, but I saw Al at Q-Con in June and he didn't seem too bad, though he had lost a lot of weight since the old days.

I don't know his exact age, but he wasn't that much older than me, so I'd guess early 40s. Maybe a little more.

Tragic and shocking.

yea_mon December 7 2010, 05:01:13 UTC

It's shocking news, Al was a great pal, had a strong presence in Fandom and will be missed greatly.

As to his age - Al was in his mid-forties, at least according to his Facebook page.

xipuloxx December 7 2010, 15:40:19 UTC

Here's the latest news: the funeral will be on Thursday, with a short service at the house starting at 1.30 and then the burial at Roselawn cemetery at 2.30.

A wake will be held at house (30 Bendigo street, Belfast, BT6 8DG) from 5pm Wednesday (tomorrow).

Al's widow Joanne has requested that no flowers be given but instead donations may be given to Diabetes UK, through the funeral directors James Brown and Son 300 Newtownards Road, Belfast.