A skilled master brewer and respected basketball coach who lost his life in a house fire in Cork city last week was laid to rest on Monday, reports The Mirror.
Peter Lyall, fondly remembered as a “gentle giant” with an “infectious laugh”, died after a blaze broke out at his residence in the Ardcullen estate in Hollyhill on the city’s northside during the early hours of Monday morning.
Mr Lyall, aged 62, was a well-known figure in Cork, having spent 20 years as the master brewer at the Franciscan Well brewery, reports The Mirror.
He also coached at Fr Mathew’s Basketball Club. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene.
His cherished dog, Charlie, also perished in the fire, reports The Mirror.
His partner Anna managed to escape the blaze. Neighbours came to her aid before she was taken to hospital, where she was treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.
Shane Long, the founder of the Franciscan Well bar and brewery, described Peter Lyall as a truly generous individual, reports The Mirror.
“If you had to have a photograph in the dictionary to define the word ‘gentleman’, it would be a photo of Peter.
“He was a quiet man, he kept his own counsel, but he helped so many people over the years, and the only person that ever heard about it was the person he helped. He was just that type of person,” reports The Mirror.
Family, friends and members of the public can pay their respects at O’Connor Bros Funeral Home on North Bridge Street in Cork on Sunday, with visitation from 2pm to 3pm.
A requiem Mass was held on Monday at 10am at St Mary’s on the Hill Church in Knocknaheeny, followed by burial at St Mary’s Cemetery in Curraghkippane.
Mr Lyall is survived by his partner Anna Neville, his adult children Sarah and Johann, his parents John and Edith, his five siblings, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends, reports The Mirror.
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