Stars from the world of snooker have gathered in Belfast for the funeral of Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins who died last month aged 61.
Higgins had battled throat cancer for many years. His cancer treatment had resulted in the loss of all his teeth and in recent years this had compounded his health problems. Prior to his death his weight had plummeted due to his inability to eat solid food.
The two-time World Champion’s memorial service took place at St Anne’s Cathedral in his native Belfast in front of family, friends and a number of the snooker world’s big names. Prior to this a smaller private service had taken place at his sister’s home in the south of the city.
Among those present were his doubles partner and fellow World Champion Jimmy White, seven times World Champion Stephen Hendry, Dublin’s 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty, Willie Thorne and John Virgo. Three-times World Champion Ronnie O’Sullivan sent a floral tribute which read ‘Alex, Gone but not forgotten’.
During the service, Higgin’s daughter Lauren read a poem that ended with the lines: “I will smile whenever I hear your name, and be proud you were my dad.”
Many hundreds of people surrounded the cathedral, and there were cheers and applause as Higgins’ coffin was carried out after the service.
A good friend
Speaking after the ceremony Jimmy White remembered his good friend.
“I was one of his best friends. I loved him as a boy. I used to see him on Pot Black, and then I met him just before I was 14. I had many, many fantastic matches with him. He was a great friend. He was his own person,” White said.
“He wanted to come back on the road with me again next year. I’m very angry and disappointed because I loved him very much. It’s a very sad day for snooker.”
According to Stephen Hendry: “When I first turned professional there were only one or two established pros like Jimmy and Alex who would practice with me. Alex would call me over and say ‘Come on give me a game for two or three hours’ and it was fantastic for someone like me to learn from such a legend, from someone I really looked up to.”
Willie Thorne added: “He was a great, great player. It’s down to Alex Higgins and colour television that the game became as popular as it is today, and we all owe him a debt of gratitude.”
