First road death 1971 Stephen McGuckin from Banbridge Tribute

Stephen's tragic death on the 2nd Jan 1971 through a car crash always flits through my mind every time I drive into Banbridge and pass by St Patrick's Catholic cemetery off the Dromore Road on the right. Stephen's grave is at the far end of the first row. His mum and dad lie next to him.
Although I was a year younger and not one of his circle of friends I remember Stephen as a lively cheerful lad, always having a laugh, or an interesting conversation. He never overlooked anyone. A very sporty boy, fit as a fiddle. He was extemely popular throughout the school. He was Banbridge Academy head boy, on the school first 15 and was the leading actor in a number of Banbridge Academy school productions. I've often thought about him over the years and the loss it must have meant to his parents especially and to his brothers and sisters.
Such a tragic loss and such potential for good, nipped in the bud. This is what road accidents do. The person is gone,g never to return and it's happening day in day out. Behind the names we hear on the TV news is a sad story of loss that can never be returned or made easier to cope with. Dreadful.

[@georgeblackwood6534]

I lived in 8 Primrose Gardens and knew the family very well. Great sports players and the most friendly people you could meet. They lived in the very last house in the top row. Met Brendan a couple of weeks ago in Bangor.

[@TomMcClean]

'Those were the days my friend we thought they'd never end'............Yes indeed George they were all into almost every sport going. Paul, Stephen, Kevin Brendan were the ones I would have known. I didn't know the younger lads at all and there was an older sister too. I think that some of them headed off to London and didn't really come back. Primrose Gardens up past the tennis courts and the old hospital I think? I left for Belfast when I was 17 and never really returned much either.