Owens, John
July 31, 2007
The death which took place in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast on 19th July last from injuries received in a farm related accident near Drumlone, Newtownbutler two days earlier of John Owens, a progressive farmer from Corranewy maguiresbridge evoked widespread genuine shock and sadness.
he was 65 and is immediately survived by his wife, Mary, by his sons, James, Patrick and Brian, all at home and by his daughter, Catherine (Sean) Smyth, Drumlone and by his grandson, Sean Og and his sister, Bridie, Tempo.
Prior to the accident, Mr Owens was on his way to a local garage to get his car repaired and had offered to help a local farmer move cattle. News of the tragedy and his subsequent death quickly spread and, over the three days of the wake, there was a steady stream of mourners calling at this late home. There was an overflow congregation at the funeral in St mary's Church, Maguiresbridge on monday, 23rd July.
The deceased was born in Letterbailey, Tempo, one in a family of three, his sister, Mary Reihill, Lakeview, Lisnaskea having pre-deceased him four years previously. On leaving school, he qualified as a tradesman, working for himself and for local firms. In 1976, John married his wife, Mary (nee Cosgrove) and they settled on the family farm at Corranewy.
Over the years, Mr Owens extended the farm's activities establishing a heard of pure-bred Simmentals. He did all his own building work and still found time to do the same for his neighbours and repairing machinery. He worked all the hours that God sent him and was quietly proud of the fact that his three sons followed him into farming. Catherine had already caught the farming bug when she was 10 in that her forte was keeping the farm records for her father.
But, his foremost focus was his wife and family and , just recently, his grandson, sean Og (17 months). He maintained close links with his native Tempo and was immensely proud of the senior championship medal he won with the Maguires in 1970. A feature of the callers at his wake were the number of ex-players from that era, among his close friend, Alphonsus McCaffrey who used to go hunting with him in Fartown in the Brougher Mountain area.
He indulged in the social and cultural life of the Tempo area as well. He took a keen interest in Irish traditional music, played the accordion and mouth organ, and was fond of playing cards and draughts and ceilidhing generally. He was keen that his children learn to play a musical instrument and all but Brian took up the challenge, his daughter, Catherine going on to compete at All-Ireland level.
The deceased was a regular Mass goer and, Last Ash Wednesday, carried his baby grandson to the altar to have the ashes placed on his forehead.
The chief celebrant of the funeral Mass was Fr Ian Fee, CC, Lisnakea who was assisted by Canon Tom Breen, PE, Bromore and Canon Tom Marron, PE, Trillick. The readings were done by his niece, Pauline Logan and Catherine, and the Prayers of the Faithful by his son, Paddy and the Communion gifts were taken up by James, Catherine and Sean (son-in-law). The choir comprised Olivia Neeson (psalmist) and her father, Tommy McDermott. Rhona McNally (organ) and Arlene Breslin (accordion) provided the music.
At the end of Mass, at the family's request, Mr McDermott sang, 'Spancil Hill', a favourite of John's. The burial was in the adjoining cemetery. The funeral arrangements were by Messrs McCaffrey and Swift.
In addition to those mentioned, he is further survived by his brothers-in-law, Frank Cosgrove, Belcoo and Francie Reihill, Lisnaskea and by his nephews and nieces.
Courtesy of The Fermanagh Herald.
July 2007
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