Peter C McKinley-Hutchinson

Peter C McKinley-Hutchinson, died 14th January 2025
We travelled many paths together.
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I will always love my daddy.

He was my first love—the man who made me feel safe, cherished, and completely adored as a child. But I’d be lying if I said it was always easy.

Life isn’t always smooth, and relationships come with their challenges—ours just happened to appear more in later life.

My relationship with Daddy taught me that love isn’t about perfection; it’s about understanding, and showing up for each other, even when it’s tough.

But daddy was so much more than his flaws—as a little girl he was my everything. His humor, his quirks, and his unwavering love left an indelible mark on my heart. I’ll always cherish the memories: putting his underpants on his head to make us laugh as kids (“Daddy, that’s not how you wear pants!”), his horror when I tried to leave the house with rollers in my hair (“You are not living on the back streets!”), and, most of all, the epic family BBQs and parties where his energy and laughter brought us all together.

Daddy was the life and soul of every party! He had this way of making life special.

But one thing he truly loved was music. He bought me my first record, we planned it for days and in the shop he said, “You will remember this forever - choose wisely!”—and he wasn’t wrong! (Clearly I didn't listen as Jive Bunny will not forever be a classic... ??)

He also shared his incredible record collection with me—from the The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour, T-Rex’s Children of the Revolution—and even gave me my own record player so I could escape into the melodies in my own room.

He and Mummy also took me to my first-ever concert, The Beach Boys in Belfast. What a night that was—it was my 9th birthday and they both made sure it would be unforgettable.

And wow, could he play the guitar! Daddy had this magical gift of hearing a song once and instantly knowing how to play it. Although, he did not have the patience for listening to my failed attempts at piano (fair enough, really!).

Then there were the mishaps that became family legends: the infamous shampoo incident (an embarrassing classic!), the time he lit a bonfire while petrol was still leaking as he walked away, or when he decided to walk home from Heatherdale to Playhill in the snow—somehow surviving when he absolutely shouldn’t have.

He even made my school lunches memorable in his own way. His scrambled egg sandwiches, which dissolved bread by lunchtime, were a creative choice, to say the least. But they were made with love, and that’s all that matters.

He was truly the life and soul of every party.

Even his everyday quirks made him unforgettable: leaving the car on its last drops of petrol, never finishing a DIY project, and his signature curly hair (on the sides, of course—he was always bald on top!). And who could forget his iconic “pout and nipple pose” for photos?

The little things stand out too: his love for a good laugh, his not-so-athletic advice to carb-load before a run (a fish supper… really, Daddy?), and driving over the Brae at top speed to give us all stomach butterflies... oh and the "lamb in the freezer" incident ??

He had a knack at times for finding joy in the simplest moments and making everyone around him laugh.

As a little girl, Daddy gave me so much. He gave me love, security, and a world filled with music, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Life wasn’t always perfect, but it was always real. And that’s what matters most.

I wish I could replay every moment of those years for those who never got to know my father during that time. I wish you could see how easy it was to love him, flaws and all—because, really, we all have them.

“And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me, Shine until tomorrow, let it be.”

I will miss him more than words can ever express. I learnt through my love for him that love and respect must come in equal measure. I have always, and will always, love my daddy.

Rest in peace, Daddy. You were one of a kind, and I’ll carry your love with me forever.

Your daughter, Oonagh Sarah (toots lamb chops) And remembered with love by my husband Gerjo and your three granddaughters—Autumn, Amber, and Fallon (who also inherited your crazy curly hair!).

Wednesday 15 January 2025