THIS morning, as you read this column, a Belfast family prepare to say goodbye to a husband, father, and grandfather.

For anyone who has experienced personal grief, the time between those final private moments at home and the slow, mournful journey to the funeral feels incredibly fleeting. It’s the last time a loved one will leave by the front door not to return.

Families often find themselves having to adjust to absence, noticing the one less table setting or that now-empty favourite armchair once perfectly paired with its occupant.

Today, as a society, we say farewell to Sir Desmond Rea, also affectionately known to some as Des.

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While he might never have described himself as such, he was a towering figure in our peace process.

Despite his prominence, he would often slip into occasions almost unnoticed. A man of humility, modesty, resolve, and above all integrity.

His legacy is measured by how well his early efforts grounded the new post-Patten governance structures for policing in Northern Ireland, where he set unrivalled and exacting standards for himself, board members, and senior police.

He was fortunate to have the indefatigable Denis Bradley as his co-pilot. In many ways, they reminded this writer of a political version of Felix Unger and Oscar Madison – The Odd Couple, but a partnership which worked impeccably and was forged in difficult times.

Their collaboration was built on mutual respect, sincerity and, most importantly,........

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