Tracy McConnell funeral held in West Heath
A CITY suburb came to a halt as several hundred mourners lined the streets to pay their respects to Birmingham dad Tracy McConnell.
Family, friends and well wishers bid a sad farewell to the 46-year-old as he was laid to rest yesterday.
The overwhelming turnout for the devoted father-of-two’s funeral meant hundreds were left outside St John Fisher Roman Catholic Church in West Heath.
The church is less than half a mile from the Fordrough pub where Mr McConnell suffered fatal injuries in a late night brawl on March 20. He is said to have been acting as a peacemaker trying to break up the fight.
A lone piper led an emotional parade of mourners the short distance from his home nearby as police stopped traffic.
Mr McConnell’s tearful wife Sharon and eldest daughter Shannon, aged nine, walked behind the hearse and were followed by his brothers.
About 100 more people on foot followed family travelling in cars.
The carpenter’s coffin was flanked by floral tributes, one which simply read “DAD”.
Dozens more were left outside the church, on Cofton Road, during the funeral.
One handwritten note attached to a bouquet said: “Tracy, you lit up our lives and your star will keep on shining long after you’re gone. Love, Nick and Colleen.”
Dozens crammed round doors to try and hear the hour-long service while others waited in the sunshine.
Mr McConnell was buried later in the day at Abbey Cemetery in Redditch.
Chris Colley, aged 52, knew Mr McConnell from drinking in the Thurlestone pub.
