Shock and sadness at death of patient advocate
Mr. Winston McCartney, who was 47 and came originally from
the Hilden area, passed away after suffering a heart attack
while sleeping at his home in Station Mews, Saintfield.
A former pupil of Hilden Primary School, he lived at Lawnbrook Drive until he was eight when his family moved house to nearby Delacherois Avenue.
He went on to Lisnagarvey High School and when he left full time education served his apprenticeship as a fitter at Shorts Aircraft Factory before moving on to the BBC.
He married his wife Jean on May 8, 1978 and remained in broadcasting for a number of years.
However, he graduated with a BSc Honours Degree in Psychology in July 1988 and moved into the field of mental health - a career he pursued up to the time of his premature death.
Mr. McCartney's funeral service took place at Roselawn Crematorium last Monday.
It was conducted by Rev. David Lloyd Brown, Church of Ireland Rector of Knocknagoney Parish and Pastor Roy Gordon of the Branagh Mission Hall. It was attended by many leading figures from the mental health field in Northern Ireland.
The ashes were interred at Saintfield Parish Church graveyard on Monday with the Vicar of Saintfield Rev. Christopher Pollock and Rev. Lloyd Brown officiating.
Many warm tributes have been paid to Mr. McCartney and his work on behalf of mental health patients by his professional colleagues.
However, perhaps one of the most touching came from his elder brother David.
"He would certainly not have taken. any prisoners if he thought patients were not being treated properly," said Mr. McCartney.
"But he mustn't have tramped on too many toes going by the comments which were made to us at the door of the Crematorium.
"For me it's very hard to believe that he has gone. I still think of him as my wee brother teasing the life out of me at home when we were growing up."
Mr. McCartney was the son of Peggy and the late William McCartney.
He is survived by his wife Jean and children Louisa, Adam and Luke.
He is also mourned by his mother, brothers David and Mark, brother in law Graeme, sister in law Karen and mother in law Jean Steed.
The family asked that donations in lieu of flowers be sent to The Patients Comfort Fund, Knockbracken Healthcare Park. All donations can be sent to S.D. Porter
