"I got to know him in our days at Campbell College where we both boarded between 1956-61. He later had a very successful career as a Sales Rep for Pilkington Glass.

Stevie was a long standing member of Bangor RFC which he joined around 1965/66, and played front row for the 3A's, and playing at Ravenhill in the Harden Cup in 1970 in a team captained by Frank Rothwell, along with John McNabb, Timmy McMillan and Kenny Duncan (among others).

He also joined the famous Phoenix captained by Brian Clements, but a knee injury brought his playing days to a close.

After his playing days he was a regular at Upritchard Park on Saturday afternoons, enjoying the craic and a few pints after the games.

Stevie was also a faithful member of the GOM (grumpy old men) and enjoyed trips to Ballina, Midleton and Sligo with the "Pink Shirt Brigade".

We will have fond memories of our trips to Paris and Rome for internationals, and an unforgettable trip to the Rugby World Cup for games in Bordeaux when we rented a gite with a swimming pool (no skinny dipping!!).

Rugby was only one of Stevie's many interests. The most important of which to him were his sailing, as a member of RUYC and latterly Cockle Island Boat Club. Stevie sailed regularly in the CIBC Wrinklies races on Monday afternoons and was out racing only a few weeks ago.

Mountain climbing and hill walking was also one of Stevie's keen interests, and he and his wife Pauline spent many enjoyable holidays in Switzerland and Austria, as well as cross country skiing.

Another of Stevie's hobbies was DIY, and if he was not working on his own house he would be up to his neck at Katy's or Scott's houses (his daughter and son) in some intricate improvement scheme.

How can you sum up a man like Stevie?

He was a true soldier, very brave in the way he bore his illness and not afraid to speak his mind.

We will all miss him, and express our sincere condolences to Pauline, Katy, Scott and his family."

A Service of Thanksgiving will be held in St Gall’s Church, Carnalea at 10.30am on Tuesday 5th November, followed by a reception at RUYC.

No flowers please, but donations in memory of Steven may be made online to either R.N.L.I. or Air Ambulance N.I. at stevenmckay.muchloved.com