The death took place, recently, of Pat Ferguson from Drumnasrene, Garrison, and was much regretted. "Wee Pat" as he was affectionately known, regarded as one of the finest tractor men around.
He was the eldest son of nine children of Patrick and Alice (nee O'Brien) Ferguson. On leaving school at 14 in 1948, he made his way in the world, later becoming a shrewd cattle dealer.
His wage-earning began with cutting and supplying turf and sticks, and evolved into a long and highly successful career in farming.

He also worked for the Cementation company on the Erne scheme, and lived life to the full during his 79 year span. Pat was one of the first men to buy a tractor in the area in 1961 and then a bailer in 1969.
With these, he worked from dawn till dusk, cutting hay, turf and sticks for hundreds of homes along the Fermanagh, Leitrim and Donegal borders.
In the 1960s he bought a few farms and even managed to buy his old school in Fassagh.

However, material possessions never really mattered to him. He was happiest playing cards or having a sing-song with friends when the long day's work ended. He was most generous to his parish.
He was passionate about his local club, Devenish GFC, was loyal to his native Fermanagh and, in the 60s 'adopted' All-Ireland champions, Down.
Pat was also a walking encyclopedia on all the great Gaelic football teams from the early 1940s to the present day. He was a true Gael in every way.
For the past 12 years. Pat was in the care of Shannagh Nursing Home, Belleek.

He died in the Tyrone County Hospital surrounded by his family on May 27 after a short illness and was waked in the home of his sister, Rose and nephew, Seamus Greenan, Dernacross.
An estimated 800 mourners attended the funeral Mass in St Mary's Queen of Peace Church in Garrison, after which his remains were interred along those of his parents in the adjoining cemetery.
Pat is survived by his twin sister Susan Gunn (Derrylin), Rose Greenan (Dernacross), Bridie Murphy (London), Jim (Muckinagh) and Peter (Gorteen Road).
He was pre-deceased by his parents and by his sister, Dympna Goodwin(Garrison) and by his brothers, Michael (Balbriggan) and Hugh (Gaelic Park, Bundoran).

Courtesy of The Fermanagh Herald Tweet

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