‘Rest easy, our beautiful boy': Teacher's dad pays tribute at funeral after death from cancer
He told mourners how his son: 'Built a community around him; a network of friends, colleagues, students, neighbours and strangers who somehow, after meeting him once, couldn't stay strangers for long.
'He had that rare magic to pull people in and made them feel welcome, seen and included with his kindness, charm and a pint of Guinness in hand.'
He also paid tribute to the Marie Curie Hospice staff who took care of Matthew in his final days.
'You are all living saints and words don't do you justice, we can't thank you enough,' he said.
Matthew Starkey spoke to the Belfast Telegraph earlier this year about being diagnosed with a 'fast growing stage 4 spinal tumour'.
The 32-year-old revealed that what started out as a seemingly innocuous football injury, had sent his life down a path he never could have imagined.
At the time Matthew, who was a teacher at St Colman's Sixth Form College in Ballynahinch, was in hospital but said he was ready to throw everything back at life once he was released.
He had hoped to take part in the Belfast Half Marathon in a wheelchair, raising funds for the Friends of the Cancer Centre.
In June, Matthew tied the knot with his fiancée Carrie who he described as the 'woman of his dreams'.
On Monday, Matthew's family announced he had passed away surrounded by his loved ones at the Marie Curie Hospice.
His wife Carrie and mother Fiona both read a poem at the mass and his father Frank read out a eulogy paying tribute to his son.
He described how Matthew was a 'shy and quiet boy' when he was a child and 'preferred to stay at the edge of the crowd'.
'From those hesitant beginnings emerged a man who would grow to become the absolute centre of attention – never for show or ego, but because people naturally gravitated towards him due to his warmth, his wit and his sincerity,' said Frank.
'We've heard from so many people over the past few months, from extended friendship circles we didn't even know existed, and they all say the same thing – that Matthew was caring, thoughtful, uplifting and deeply, deeply loved.'
He spoke of how, from the moment he met his wife Carrie, 'she was the love of his life' and it was 'clear they were perfect for each other'.
'In just four years they built a beautiful life filled with travel, laughter and deep, unwavering love,' he said.
'A young couple should never have to endure what they have but every step they took, they took together, whole-heartedly and with unwavering strength.'
He added how he faced his devastating cancer diagnosis the way he faced everything else in life – 'with grace, courage and an incredible sense of humour'.
'He faced the most unfair fight with dignity, courage and humour,' he added.
'He taught us more in the last few months than we ever taught him.
'It redefined what strength looks like.
'We all want to continue your legacy with love and pride, rest easy now, our beautiful boy.'
He described how his son's passion for teaching was not just to educate his pupils, but to 'connect, to inspire and to lift others up'.
'Teaching wasn't just a job to him, it was where he poured his whole heart – he didn't just teach lessons from a textbook, he taught empathy, he taught humour, he taught perspective and compassion,' he said.
'He became the type of teacher pupils remember forever.'
Pupils from St Colman's Sixth Form College formed a guard of honour at the funeral on Thursday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Carryduff.
News Catch Up - Thursday 7th August
During his homily, Very Reverend Canon Sean Rogan spoke of how the 'role of teacher is a noble vocation'.
'To be a teacher is to impart knowledge and to guide and support young citizens,' he said.
St Colman's paid tribute to the former teacher of ICT, Business Studies and PE.
They posted on Facebook: 'An absolute gentleman, loved by pupils and colleagues alike, we will remember Matthew for the inspirational role model that he was and the wide reach that he had across our whole school community.
'Matthew has left a lasting mark on us all and he will be sorely missed.'
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