Frank McCourt’s family set date for New York memorial service

• VIDEO / FRANK'S FIRST MOVIE ROLE /CLICK HERE

• PHOTO GALLERY / FRANK IN PICTURES / CLICK HERE

• NIALL O'DOWD / THE FRANK I KNEW / CLICK HERE

 • VIDEO / NEW YORK STATE WRITER'S INSTITUTE  / CLICK HERE

 • ARCHIVE / 1997 INTERVIEW / CLICK HERE

The family of Frank McCourt, who passed away on July 19, will celebrate his life on October 6 at a special service in his beloved New York.

The celebrated Irish author died died last week in a hospice surrounded by friends and family.

McCourt, who rocketed to fame in 1996 with the publication of "Angela's Ashes," was an unlikely literary superstar.

He was 66 when the book was published for which he won a Pulitzer prize.

The book recounted his early years in Limerick and became an instant hit around the world, although less so in Limerick, where some of the most harrowing scenes were set.

The book's iconic opening line, read, “When I look back on my childhood I wonder how I managed to survive at all.”

And, as millions of fans round the world would discover; “It was, of course, a miserable childhood: the happy childhood is hardly worth your while.”

The service will take place at Symphony Space on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.