The funeral takes place today of Mr Harold Gracey, the Portadown Orange leader who was prominent during the Drumcree disputes.
Mr David Jones
Mr Gracey, who died last week after a long illness, joined the Orange Order's junior institution at the age of seven before joining a senior lodge at 16.
He became district master of the Portadown Lodge, Loyal Orange Lodge 1, 18 years ago. He played a pivotal role in the series of bitter clashes between marchers and the police that erupted when the marchers' usual return route along the nationalist Garvaghy Road in the Co Armagh town was blocked in 1998.
Orangemen have mounted a weekly token protest ever since on Drumcree hill near the Church of Ireland church where the local lodge commemorated the Battle of the Somme every July.
Mr Gracey sparked controversy during the 2000 dispute when he said he would not condemn any violence linked to Drumcree protests because Sinn Féin leader Mr Gerry Adams never condemned republican violence.
A prominent Orangeman, Mr David Jones, hailed Mr Gracey as a "true lifelong Orangeman", saying: "Harold made a massive contribution to the Orange Order and particularly the Portadown District".
"He was an individual who was very strong in his commitment to civil and religious freedom for all. That is why he could not abide by the Parades Commission's decision to bar Orangemen walking home along their traditional route from Drumcree parish church."