Maureen....your friend sounds like a real character....with character. I'm sure he will be sorely missed. I have to ask you, since the funeral was such an event.....what type of music was played? Rita MaureenBatty@aol.com wrote: > I have just returned from the funeral of a lovely Irishman who I was > priviliged to call a friend. He came from Co. Longford and started work in a > Bar at the age of 14yrs. He arrived in London aged 18yrs again to work in a > Bar but from there he built up an empire of Bars and not forgetting his roots > bought a couple of farms. However it is not for this he will be > remembered.... At the age of 25 he became interested in a Charity for needy > children and over the last 35 yrs has devoted every spare moment he had to > this cause, raising thousands of pounds along the way and being instrumental > in the pastoral care and education of hundreds of young people. > > When I arrived in his village today, every shop had closed it's doors in > respect for him and the Church was packed to such an extent that people were > standing in the aisles and even outside the doors. He had friends in every > part of the community, every religion and class and the service was carried > out by a Church of England Canon and a Catholic Canon again at his > instructions and another measure of the man. > > May he Rest in Peace and he be an example to all Irish People everywhere. > > Maureen > > ==== FERMANAGH Mailing List ==== > If you desire to manage an Ireland County Website, please See: http://irelandgenealogyprojects.rootsweb.com , read requirements for adoption, then contact coordinator at: Fermanagh-admin@rootsweb.com