Restaurateur Derek Patterson laid to rest
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Popular restaurateur, chef and publican, Derek Patterson (53), whose body was discovered near his Hillsborough home last week, has been laid to rest in the village.
Hundreds of people packed into Hillsborough Presbyterian Church on June 2 for a service of thanksgiving, during which the Rev Dr Allen Sleith said family and friends would never forget the father-of-four who co-owned the successful Hillsborough-based Plough Group of restaurants.
Mr Patterson, who was well-known throughout the NI hospitality trade and who co-founded the Hillsborough Oyster Festival in 1992, was found dead near his St. John’s Road home in late May.
During the funeral service, Rev Sleith told mourners, ‘You don’t get over grief or loss, but you can and must go on and continue as best you can.’
Mr Patterson’s eldest daughter, Natasha told those gathered that their hearts had been ‘completely shattered’ by news of her father’s death.
‘He will always be my best friend,’ she added.
Messages from his other children – Max, Toby and Amelia – were read aloud during the service.
Among those who attended the funeral service were prominent NI chefs Michael Deane and Danny Millar and the DUP’s Edwin Poots.
A private committal for family members took place later the same day.
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