Funeral of Winemark owner Paul Hunt to take place on Friday

The funeral of Paul Hunt is to take place on Friday July 7 following his tragic death while holidaying in Portugal.

Mr Hunt, who was 75, died last Friday while staying with his wife Patricia at the Quinta do Lago golf resort in Portugal’s Algarve region.

He was the executive chair of Belfast-based drinks company Golf Holdings, which owns the Winemark off-licence chain and has over 80 outlets across the north.

The firm also owns a number of popular venues in south Belfast, including Cutters Wharf at Stranmillis The Chelsea wine bar at Lisburn Road and the Four Winds.

Among peers to pay tribute following his death was former United Wine Merchants managing director Jim O’Neill, who described Mr Hunt as “well respected within the industry” and someone who “ran a hugely successful operation for many years”.

Mr Hunt’s body has now returned to Ireland following consular assistance from the Republic’s Department of Foreign Affairs.

A funeral service for the father-of-four will be held at the Good Shepherd Church on Belfast’s Ormeau Road.