Breen, Phil
December 01, 2010
Phil Breen
THE DEATH took place suddenly at his home at Dooneen Road, Tempo last Thursday of Phil Breen. He was 72, the husband of Mary and father of five.
From a well-known footballing family, he played for Tempo Maguires and for Fermanagh, being a member of the victorious 1959 All-Ireland squad.
He was a farmer and a keen gardener but, at all times, his family came first. He was a loving husband and companion to his wife Mary for over 40 years and was always available to provide guidance and support to their five children.
His attendance at Sunday Mass, his strong faith and Christian values were an importance aspect of his life. He was a devoted friend to his brothers and sisters and extended family. And, he was always available if a neighbour needed a helping hand.
He was a good dancer and had an enduring passion for the ceili an old time varieties, a passion that extended back many years, resulting in long standing friendships throughout the dancing community.
He attended the local Wednesday evening dancing class at Dooneen Community Centre, near where he lived and it was there he met numerous dancing friends. This social interaction and the opportunity to have a chat meant just as much to him as was waltzing the floor.
Only the previous week he was dancing among friends in Derrylin. Even the young could dance with Phil and, in fact, many beginners learned their first steps fro him. On the night of his sudden death he was heading for Dooneen.
Philip was a man of the Earth and enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle. His garden was his pride and joy and he spent his life working on the land in Drummacken (The Forth) and Toneyglaskin.
Phil, like his four brothers, Artie, Jim, Mackey (RIP) and Fr Tom, played with distinction for many years with Tempo Maguires. He was an avid supporter of the local club and proud of the role and contribution that the club play within his community.
His funeral Mass in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tempo was celebrated by Phil's brother, Cannon Tom (PE, Dromore) and the homily was delivered by Fr John Halton, PP.
Other officiating clergy included - Canon Tom Marron, PE (a formerly parish priest of Tempo), Canon Patrick Marron, PP, Dromore, Fr Michael McGourty, PP, Irvinestown, Fr Cahal Gallagher (Garrison), Columban fathers and RT Rev Monsignor Sean Cahill, PE, Maguiresbridge.
Fr Halton said the deceased had preached the Gospel more by the kind of person he was, than by the words he spoke.
"But, when he did speak, we knew that we were in the presence of a friend, one who cared, and one who understood.
"He was a man who was both feared, and admired on the (football) field, a man who has gone down in the sporting annals of our own parish, and county as one of our best."
Fr Halton spoke about Phil Breen, the family man, his wife, Mary (nee Jackson) and their five children: Declan, Maresa, Paula, Edwin, and Grainne. They were, he said, 'the most important people' in their parents lives.
He spoke of his love of old time dancing and, concluding. He extended his sympathy to Phil's wife, his children, his grandchildren, his sisters and brothers; Bia, Eileen, Christine (Chris) and Gertie; Fr Tom, Jim, and Artie.
Among the gifts brought up to the altar were a 1959 Fermanagh jersey, a dancer's tie from Dooneen and a pot of clay to signify his love of the land and garden.
The deceased was a son of the late Jimmy and Rose Breen and he is further pre-deceased by his brother, Mickey (Kathleen) and sister Mary (John) Downey.
Courtesy of the Fermanagh Herald 1/12/10
Most Read Stories