Tony Walsh – more commonly known as ‘DJ Tizer’ – died suddenly last Saturday.
Described as “Ireland’s number one Happy Hardcore DJ”, Tony was famous for staging ‘old skool raves’.
He has been remembered by many for creating iconic nights in some of Northern Ireland’s most famous nightclubs and dance music venues, many of which are now defunct.
He performed in Kelly’s in Portrush, Clubland in Cookstown, the Planetlove festival in Belfast and Exit 15 in Dungannon.
DJ Tizer
Mr Walsh’s funeral mass was held in St Patrick’s Church on Dromore Street in Banbridge on Thursday afternoon.
At the beginning of the service a friend of Tony’s placed several of his records on the altar, symbolising his love for his DJ-ing career.
During the service the parish priest, Fr John McAreavey, spoke about Mr Walsh’s ‘musical gifts’.
“Using these gifts he touched the lives of many young people in his generation,” he recalled.
“The news of Antony’s death last Saturday would have caused a great shock, sadness and distress to those who know and follow him.
“We thank God for his talents [and] larger than life personality.”
A death notice described Mr Walsh as “a loving father” and “much loved son”.
Fr McAreavey offered his sympathies to the bereaved relatives, adding: “We ask God to give them comfort and strength at this time.”
The priest also offered prayers to Mr Walsh’s fans and ‘all involved with the world of music’.
Many of Mr Walsh’s friends and colleagues paid tribute to him following news of his passing.
Funeral of Tony Walsh, aka DJ Tizer, takes place in Banbridge. Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
A close friend, who had been helping run his Facebook page ‘DJ Tizer NI,” said ‘a lot of people never really knew the real Tony… the man behind the myth/legend.”
He said that Mr Walsh was a loving father, and that his boys were all that mattered.
He even stopped DJ-ing so that he could spend time with them at the weekends.
Fellow NI DJ Micky Modelle also paid his respects via social media on Sunday, writing: “Just landed in Ibiza today and was devastated to hear of the passing of my dear friend DJ Tizer.
“We were friends 30 years. Such an Inspiration to us all in the early days.
Funeral of Tony Walsh, aka DJ Tizer, takes place in Banbridge. Luke Jervis/Belfast Telegraph
“He was a technical wizard on vinyl turntables the Scratch Master. I never saw anyone better at that time.
“He just lit up the room everywhere he played and I have many fond memories of gigs we did together.
“I can be thankful for the 30 years of friendship and memories we had.”
Another friend and fan said that Mr Walsh was “the best to ever stand behind a set of decks”.
“My youth was spent listening to his mix tapes, and going out to admire how he mix, scratched and spun tunes that had the whole club mesmerised… an absolute gentleman who always had time for you and never forgot a face.”