Pensioner who died alone is ‘saved from pauper’s grave’ thanks to kind strangers

A pensioner who died alone was saved from a pauper's grave and reunited with his family in death thanks to "massive love", a priest says.

Former shipyard worker Geordie Walker, 91, spent his entire life within 200 yards of the place he was born in East Belfast and lived a solitary life as an adult.

When he died a wealthy man at Belfast Royal Victoria Hospital last week he was alone and it appeared he wouldn't be given a proper funeral and would be buried next to strangers.

But Mr Walker was given the funeral he deserved and laid to rest beside his mother Margaret, father George and sister Lily due to the efforts of kind people who “barely knew him”, BelfastLive reports.

Speaking at the funeral on Thursday, Rev John Cunningham told dozens of mourners: “Geordie could have lay there for a very long time, we may not have found out in time he wasn’t a pauper and he may not have had this sort of funeral."

The mourners included DUP councillor Tom Haire, Mr Walker's friend Cecil Wilson, his sister Ann, and Kate Tannahill.

Ms Tannahill was Mr Walker's only visitor after he was found collapsed at his home because she called 999 out of concern on July 5.

Despite her appeal for any relatives or friends to get in touch, Mr Walker took his last breath alone.

She traced the graves of his parents and sister, who died when they were children, to Dundonald Cemetery with a little “detective work”, aided by a friend.

Rev Cunningham said: “All I can see here is the love of God shining through good people doing their best in a difficult situation.

“When I first saw Geordie, I think it was the day after he was taken into hospital and I saw an immaculate man,” he added.

“He was shaved, his hair was immaculate – he was sparkling clean and he was like that every time I went up.

“As I reflect on that I realise that the people who were looking after him in hospital, loved him.

“From the nurses who cleaned him, to Kate and John who found him and all the work that has gone on, to Andrew’s efforts to get him a funeral – he was loved."

The St Patrick's minister added: “Aren’t we blessed to live in a society that cares? I have buried far too many people for whom there is no one there.

“There are people who go straight to the crematorium and there is no one there, and someone says a prayer and they are gone.

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