Obituary: Mr. Bernard ‘Barney’ Patterson

A native of Cloughmills, ‘Barney’ Patterson was a familiar figure in the Ballymena area. Described by those who knew him best as a‘true gentleman’ with a ready wit and a huge sense of fun, Barney was well known and respected by all in the licensed trade both in the local area and further afield.

He died last Tuesday, after several months of illness, at Belfast City Hospital.

In his youth Barney had been a keen sportsman and was known for his skills as both a soccer player, hurler and gaelic footballer.

Indeed, While playing for Antrim Minor football team in the early seventies he caused controversy in the ranks of the GAA by ‘heading’ a goal against Derry in the Ulster Minor Football Championship at Ballinascreen. The goal was disallowed by the referee and Antrim lost the game but the decision was latterly judged to be wrong and it was proved that Barney’s effort should have stood.

Barney lost the sight in his left eye in a car accident around the age of 19 but he did not adopt the black eye-patch which made him such a striking and easily recognisable figure until the mid-1990s

Bernard Patterson was the son of Mary and the late Bobby Patterson of Cloughmills. He was the much loved father of Barry and Eugene and brother of Kieran, Eugene and Aloysius.His well attended funeral took place last Friday with the Requiem Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Cloughmills and burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.