Dean's memories of a quiet gentleman

Speaking fondly from his home in the Deanery, Dean Morton said he had known John Beresford-Ash and his wife, Agnes, for well over 12 years.

"I have known the couple and their family since I came to the Cathedral, and in fact I remember them very early on in my time here, in December 1997, because it was roughly at that time that their house was firebombed. From recollection they attempted to firebomb the house at night and Mr Beresford-Ash ended up in hospital and he had a dislocated hip because of whatever way he had tried to prevent the fire from spreading. He ended up on crutches and it was through all of that that I got to know him and got to know his family," he said.

The Dean went on to recall the last contact he had with the late Mr Beresford-Ash, when he was approached last year to officiate at the wedding of the couple's third daughter, Anglique on May 9, 2009.

Dean Morton officiated at a number of family weddings including the marriage of the couple's daughter Melanie on September 29, 2001 to Charles Cunningham, from County Tipperary, that of Louisa Jane on February 16, 2002.

Meanwhile, Alderman Mary Hamilton has also added her sympathy to those who have sent thoughts and prayers to the family.

Speaking yesterday, Tuesday, the UUP Alderman said: "I wish to offer my sympathies to the Beresford-Ash family. This is a family who been present in this area for many generations and the passing of the head of the family definitely marks the end of an era."

"There was a very interesting dimension to Anglique's wedding in that she married a grandson of Yehudi Menuhin, Dominic Benthall. His mother is the daughter of Yehudi Menuhin," Dean Morton said.

Describing John Beresford-Ash as "a very pleasant, quiet, inoffensive man", Dean Morton said Mr Beresford-Ash also had a wonderful sense of humour, and a great sense of pride in his family's history.

"When his eldest daughter was married he asked that the flags which Captain Thomas Ash took after the Battle of Windmill Hill, and which hang in the Sacristy in the Cathedral, be carried in front of the bride; and he asked that the Apprentice Boys do this. So those flags were brought down and used. It was very unusual," he said.

"He came to the Cathedral here in festival times and for family occasions and Melanie's children were baptised here. Christmas and Easter were also times when he came here and he attended cultural and artistic events. He ensured he attended them. I have some very fond memories of him all linked to him in a pastoral way, and I know that his late father was also intricately involved in the Scouting Movement here.

"He was a very pleasant man. He was very gentlemanly and very appreciative. John Beresford-Ash was very much a family man and always enjoyed going to France for his holidays with his wife, Agnes, who was from France. I know he enjoyed life and the idyllic surroundings of Ashbrook, and his father was Major Beresford-Ash, and he had strong links with Glendermott," he said.

Speaking on the passing of John Beresford Ash, UUP Alderman Mary Hamilton said: "I wish to offer my sympathies to the Beresford Ash family. This is a family who been present in this area for many generations and the passing of the head of the family definitely marks the end of an era."