A financial adviser gunned down on his doorstep was today remembered as a loving family man who was devoted to his heartbroken wife and sons.
As detectives continued to question four people over the killing of Geoff Kerr, his grieving widow Sally led mourners at his funeral service.
Mr Kerr was shot dead in the couple's County Antrim home on Monday night after two bogus Chinese takeaway delivery men forced their way in.
The 60-year-old struggled with one of the intruders before he was shot in the chest and was killed instantly.
Reverend Richard Kerr (no relation) told a packed Templepatrick Presbyterian Church that Mr Kerr was a strong, special, knowledgeable and hardworking man who enjoyed life.
"To have met him was a privilege, an experience, he drew you in with his chat and charm," said the minister.
"To know him as a husband, father, was to know a man who loved you dearly, would have done anything for you.
"For all of us, whether we knew him as family, through business, socially, through church, we were enriched and influenced by a man who was full of life and vitality, who lived life to the full, who embraced us with his charisma, and who made you feel accepted, valued, special."
Mr Kerr, who ran a mortgage advisory business, and his wife moved to Templepatrick from Ballymena about 18 months ago.
Mrs Kerr (51) and one of their four sons were in the house in Templepatrick when he was killed in what police believe was a botched robbery.
Three men arrested by murder detectives overnight are being quizzed at Antrim Serious Crime suite.
A woman is also being held on suspicion of aiding and abetting.
The minister said while mourners gave thanks for the good times, memories, fun and laughter, it is impossible to escape the uncertainty, questions, the feeling of loss, and the nature of his death.
In a poignant tribute, he told the congregation that while Mr Kerr was ambitious, driven and hardworking, the focus of the weekends was his home and his family.
"Family times with Geoff were never dull, there was a constant banter and carry-on, and he was right at the heart of it," he said.
Born in Ballymena, Mr Kerr lived in Canada with his parents for two years as a child, which the church heard had broadened his horizons.
Rev Kerr said although the murder victim left school without any qualifications, he started his working life in a grocery shop in Ballymena before training as a baker. He then joined an insurance firm and later became a financial adviser.
"He loved reading about his latest interest and would absorb what he read, passing on the information with a zeal to anyone who was prepared to admit an interest," he added.
"Apparently, when at a business dinner in London, the comedian Bob Monkhouse heard of his reputation and quipped 'Geoff could talk for one hour on any given subject, and two hours if he knew anything about it!'."