The late Eddie Traynor There was an impressive farewell by Gaels throughout Fermanagh,who were joined by the Ulster Council President, Michael Greenan and the secretary, Danny Murphy at the removal and funeral Mass in St Mary's Church, Maguiresbridge GFC in 1947 and, at the time of his sudden death at the home of his son, Ciaran, Drumgarve, Maguiresbridge, he was the club treasurer for all of the intervening 57 years and treasurer of the Fermanagh County Board for the past 2 years. Mr Traynor (79) lived with his wife, Rita nee McCusker, Maguiresbridge) at Drumgoon and was the father of Harry, Leicester; Etain, a nursing sister in the Erne hospital; Sean, London and Ciaran. He was a retired Ulster Transport/Ulsterbus driver and had previously worked on the railways before retraining as a bus-driver, following a similar path to the late Hugh D'Arcy, the father of Fr Brian, CP, Rector, The Graan who assisted Fr Ian Fee, CC, Lisnaskea in the largely-attended funeral Mass. Over a dozen of his former Ulsterbus colleagues attended, two of whom, Don Jones and Jim Curran recalled his immense contribution as their shop steward ('he made his point and that was it'). The entire officer team of club and county, headed, respectively, by Liam Hanna and Joe McGurn turned out in an impressive show of solidarity. In a tribute at the end of Mass, Mr McGurn said Fermanagh had lost a good friend and he described Eddie as a man of deep honesty and great integrity. "He kept his books immaculately. All of us will miss him. There is an empty chair at the table but there is the comfort of memories, of a quiet , of a quiet man who could defuse a heated situation at a county board meeting." Mr McGurn told the congregation that along with playing an active part within Maguiresbridge GFC, Eddie kept an eye on the books for the Lissan development and he had no doubt that when the good Lord opened his books, he would say to Eddie: 'Well done, good and faithful servant'. On behalf of the Gaels of Fermanagh, he extended sympathy to Rita and the Traynor family. Earlier, senior playing members and the officers and committee of Maguiresbridge GFC were joined by members of the county executive at the removal of the remains from his late home. On arrival at Larkin's shop, a well-known GAA assembly point, they were joined by representatives of clubs throughout the county and, at the gates into St Mary's Church, pupils from the local St Mary's PS formed a guard of honour. The combined choirs of St Mary's and Holy Cross, Lisnaskea were conducted by Tommy McDermott. The organist was Karen Connolly and the soloist for the Psalm was Claire McAvoy. As the remains were brought out of the church for burial, Concepta Carey played Eddie's favourite instrumental piece on the organ. The readers were Harry Traynor, Eddie's son and Peter Carty, a close friend. The prayers of the Faithful were led by Justin Thompson, a close friend and the secretary of Maguiresbridge GFC. The gifts of an O'Neill's football and club jersey were taken up by Eddie's grandson, Kevin and his grandniece, Lucy at the start of Mass and the Holy Communion gifts were taken up by Etain, Eddie's daughter and his niece, Geraldine Teague. In his homily, Fr Fee said that while the final whistle had blown him at a time no one expected it to, he was sure Eddie Traynor was ready for it. "He will leave behind an example to others. Much has been written about his involvement with the GAA but there is no way that the man who devoted so much to the GAA can be separated from the rest of his life. "But, it is very important that we don't just remember today: our hearts have to be, not on yesterday, but on tomorrow". They could take it, he said, that the Good Lord would be lenient with the red cards and he asked that he look after those left behind who, he said, had been through some very difficult days. As the remains were brought out of the church, Connie Carey played an instrumental piece and, at the door, the Fermanagh GAA flag was pinned to the coffin before the final carrying tot he burial plot overlooking the graveyard, the town and the river. The remains had an unbroken escort of some 40 playing members extending from U-12 to senior. Liam Hanna, the chairman of Maguiresbridge GFC, described Eddie as, 'Mr GAA': "I got to know him really since this last four years, since becoming chairman. He was held in such high esteem by all members of our club and by Gaels throughout the country as well as the county executive for their input. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Patricia Durnien. Eddie is immediately survived by his wife, Rita, his sons, Harry (Sheena), Sean (Maria) and iaran (Caroline), by his daughter, Etain and his sister, Sally McManus, by his eight grandchildren and a great grandchild, Kian. Courtesy of the Fermanagh Herald June 2004 Tweet

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