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| 13 May 2015 | |
| Obituaries |
Renowned RTE broadcaster Derek (christened Frederick George) Davis, who attended Connor House between 1955 and 1959 before moving on to a County Antrim boarding school, died aged 67 on 13 May 2015.
The product of a mixed marriage, Derek resided during his Connor House years at 51 Clifton Road. His father owned a picture framing business in Belfast. After leaving school Derek went to Queen’s University to study law, playing a prominent role in the Union Debating Society.
In a newspaper interview, he once put his start in broadcasting down to a row with a BBC producer at the Wellington Park Hotel in Belfast. The producer was so impressed with Derek’s debating skills that he asked the young undergraduate to contribute to a programme. He went on to be trained as a BBC reporter.
Derek became a household name as co-anchor of RTE’s Live at Three afternoon programme in the 1990s. He also contributed to many programmes on BBC Northern Ireland and had a passion for food, sailing and angling.
Noel Curran, director general of RTE, described Derek as “hugely popular” with both audiences and colleagues. He is survived by his wife, three sons and a wide family circle.
