The family of Frank ‘Bap’ McGreevy have paid tribute to their father, who they say died of a broken heart.

Eighty-year-old Hugh McGreevy, who was also known as ‘Bap’, passed away on Wednesday.

Hugh’s son, Frank McGreevy, was beaten to death at his Ross Street home in March this year. The former republican prisoner had been on a life support machine following the attack and died in hospital.

On Saturday Hugh McGreevy was buried in the City Cemetery after Mass in St Peter's Cathedral. The family say he never recovered from Frank’s murder.

Hugh's daughter, Margaret Black, described the great grandfather “a true gentleman, just the same as Frank.”

“He had the same nature – he always had time for everyone. He was so kind and good-natured, and a brilliant father to us. He lived for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” she said.

“He knew everyone in the area, and you would always see him standing talking away to people. It's just the way he was.

“Our whole family is broken-hearted, our chain has been broken.”

Although Hugh was originally from the Carrick Hill area, he moved to the Falls in 1948 after marrying.

From a family of 10 children, Hugh went on to have nine children himself, and is survived by two sisters, 36 grandchildren, and 46 great-grandchildren.