Sad Passing of Larry Hasson

Sinead McLaughlin, chief executive of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, says:

"It is with sadness that the Chamber has learnt of the death of Larry Hasson, the oldest member of the Chamber. The Hasson family has a long association with the Chamber and Larry through his contribution to the retail sector in the city has been a stalwart contributor to our city centre for many years.

"Larry has only recently stopped 'going to work' - so for many of us this will be testament to the recipe for a long life! He was a very hard worker and he passed those vital traits on to his family. In earlier years he was active and involved in all that was happening in the city and sought to participate in many facets of our city-wide development.

"He had many aspects to his character. He was obviously a successful business man and he was also an outstanding singer and performer, but his greatest legacy was that of a committed family man. I often watched Luke or Declan helping their father out of the car at the Diamond - to bring him into the store to spend the day in the place that he loved. It was a very respectful and loving act and I am sure it contributed greatly to the quality of Larry's life. He will be sorely missed by his loving sons, daughter and extended Hasson family - and also by the wider business community."