Councillor Pat Karney, one of Manchester city council's longest-serving members, will be laid to rest on Thursday (November 5). He died at the age of 78 on October 13 while being treated for cancer at The Christie hospital.
Funeral service details
The funeral service will take place at 10am at St Mary's Roman Catholic Church on Mulberry Street, Manchester, followed by a private burial. Due to capacity issues, entry into the church is by invitation only for Coun Karney's family, close friends, colleagues and other associates.
The funeral cortege will pass through Albert Square around 9.30am, pausing briefly in front of Manchester Town Hall and the Christmas Markets, before continuing along John Dalton Street, Ridgefield and Mulberry Street to the church. Arrangements are being made to relay the funeral service on the day to anyone gathered outside the church.
A life devoted to Manchester
Coun Karney had represented Harpurhey, in north Manchester, since 1979. Over the years he earned the nickname 'Mr Manchester' for devoting his life to the city and its people. He was also one of the pivotal figures in the regeneration of the city centre after it was devastated by the IRA bomb in 1996.
Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Coun Karney became a significant supporter of gay rights, fighting against the discriminatory Clause 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, introduced by Margaret Thatcher's government. For generations of Mancunians, however, he is best remembered as the city's biggest cheerleader for Christmas and the annual Manchester Day.
Donations and condolences
The family is said to have been moved and touched by the kind words people have expressed for Coun Karney. In lieu of flowers, they have asked well-wishers to make donations to The Christie Charity.
The city's Christmas Markets will open the day after his funeral, and will be the first year without Coun Karney at the helm. A book of condolence in memory of Pat will remain open until this Sunday in the Shakespeare Hall of Central Library, along with an online book of condolence.
