Durnien, Tommy
October 08, 2008
The death took place on Wednesday September 17th peacefully at his home at "Beech House" Main Street, Lisnaskea of Tommy Durnien. He was 87.
He was well known in Gaelic football circles, with the local Emmetts, Fermanagh and Ulster and he also had a well established reputation through his Fruit and Vegetable family business which he established in the latter part of 1953. His business provided and still provides, employment locally and helped, through the pioneering signs and advertising, which he placed on his transport fleet, to promote the town of Lisnaskea across the country.
News of his passing evoked widespread regret. The local parish priest, Very Rev Canon Joseph Mullin described as 'a big man with a big heart' and that his bigness was reflected in his Christianity and in his giving.
The removal, which was flanked by a guard of honour made up of Lisnaskea Emmets players, ex-players and members, went from his late home on Friday morning, 19th September to Holy Cross Church for the 11 o'clock con-celebrated funeral mass and burial.
Among the symbols brought up to the altar before the start of the Mass was Tommy's 1943 Railway Cup medal which he won as a 23 year old.
A capacity congregation attended the Mass for which Canon Mullin, was assisted by Fr Kevin Shannon (White Fathers) whose brother, Kevin played for the Emmets under Tommy's captaincy. Canon Mullin the parish priest, along with Tommy's family and friends were deeply saddened at his death. Like an oak tree, Tommy's own roots went deep into his community. As well as being a hard-working family man, he cared about people, he was a good man and he did a lot of good, widely that was unknown about. He was a gentleman in the best traditional sense, a man who was gentle in nature and loving in his actions.
"Like the rest of his generation, he was comfortable with the thought of death because they all lived close to nature. The Tommy that I saw was very conscious of place, of the good in his life and of every aspect of his life, especially with work and building a family life. God was close to him and he knew that.
"He was an affirming man in that he made people grow." He said Tommy lived a long and full life, a rich and enriching life.
"He was an enterpreneur when the name wasn't heard tell of, launching a successful business, heading out with his lorry to Belfast in the early morning at a time when that journey was long and difficult. Tommy worked very hard. He was a man of great dignity. Time and again I heard him lauded for his interest and generosity in helping other people starting up."
Canon Mullin also spoke of Tommy's prepardness for death. He and his generation had a real sense of God's presence and they carried with them a deep faith and real recognition of what is right and true and good.
"Today, Tommy takes his rightful place. We pray and hope that the Resurrection will be a comfort to all who grieve."
Peter Quinn, a former President of the GAA made a graveside tribute. He extended to smypathy of to Tommy's wife Mary, to his daughters Rosemary, Ann, Marian, Kathleen and Jackie,and to his sons, Kieran and Brian who also played for the Emmets, to his sister, Patsy McManus and to his extended family.
"Ni bheidh a leitheid aris ann" (We will not see his like again) he added.
Tommy was predeceased by his sisters and brothers, Eleanor, Kathleen, Jim, Patsy and Frank. The only surviving member now is his sister Patsy.
Fermanagh Herald, 8th October 2008
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