Funeral for businessman who died while sea swimming in Newcastle

Funeral for businessman who died while sea swimming in Newcastle

25 October 2023

THE funeral has taken place of businessman Paul Bradley who died after getting into difficulties while swimming off South Promenade in Newcastle last week.

The 63 year-old owner of Belfast’s Cafe Fish was pronounced dead after being taken from the sea last Wednesday.

Mr Bradley’s funeral service took place at St Peter’s Church in Lurgan on Sunday. His family have thanked members of the emergency services who rushed to his aid.

His family — wife Gabby, daughter Siobhan and sons Jacob, Matthew and Peadar — said it will be difficult to know what life will be like without him “such a huge personality and presence in everyone’s lives”.

They added: “We are extremely proud of our dad/husband and we want to thank everyone for your kind messages about Paul. He loved Cafe Fish and thrived chatting and joking with the customers. It is comforting in these difficult times to know he was so well-liked and respected in the community.”

Emergency services were alerted at around 10am last Wednesday. Mr Bradley was swimming at a popular spot for all-year round sea swimmers close to the harbour.

Newcastle RNLI were the first responders to the incident, which happened close to the lifeboat station.

The organisation said its inshore lifeboat launched shortly before 10am and the casualty was quickly taken ashore, with care administered by the crew until the arrival of the Ambulance Service. Air Ambulance NI was also tasked to the resort.

Lifeboat unit members attempted to resuscitate Mr Bradley as they waited for paramedics to arrive. He was pronounced dead by an ambulance crew.

Mr Bradley, who previously ran the Victoria Junction chip shop in his home town of Lurgan, has been described as an “infectious guy, a great guy” by Sean Lawlor, a friend of 20 years and owner of the nearby Cambridge Barbershop on the Lisburn Road.

“We remember Paul first opening up. He had cemented Cafe Fish into the heart of Lisburn Road and fast became a popular venue among the many eateries and bars that sit along the road,” Mr Lawlor said.

“With Paul always heard shouting ‘order on’, he created an ambience like no other and knew how to attract customers....and keep them. We will miss him shouting...his infectious smile and him also revving his ‘baby’ when driving past the barbershop.”

Mr Lawlor said his friend enthusiastically took up sea swimming several years ago during the pandemic lockdowns. 

“It is just a terrible, terrible tragedy,” Mr Lawlor added.