Kelly, John
May 21, 2008
The Late John Kelly
When John Kelly passed away in February this year, the father of six had spent his entire life in his beloved Trillick. John was a native of Trillick from his birth in1936 until his untimely death earlier this year at his home in Main Street, surrounded by his family. He was born to Jimmy and Bridget Kelly, Liffer and was the fifth of a family of 16 children, the others being Rosaleen (McCaul), Terry (decd), Seamus, Gerald, Eugene, Mickey (decd), Brendan, Mary (Maguire), Matt, Breige (McDonagh), Eamon, Una (McCann), Josie, Vonnie (Lyons) (decd) and Cecilia (Hagan).
In his early years, he lived with his grandparents and his aunt (Sarah Ellen Farry), and attended Grannan School prior to working with Dan McAnespy as an apprentice mechanic. He then moved to work in Tunney's Garage in Trillick and County Cars in Enniskillen prior to setting up his own business in Main Street, Trillick.
There, his reputation as an excellent and reliable mechanic brought car owners from a wide area to have repairs done. He was blessed with 'gifted hands' and liked nothing better than having to solve a problem in his own inimitable 'Kelly' way.
While employed in Tunney's, he became involved with the undertaking business and in 1979 he and his brother Gerald formed 'Kelly's Undertakers' which is now being operated by his son, Dominic. His quiet manner and ability to treat people with dignity was appreciated.
John married a local woman Rosaleen Breen in 1958 after which they lived in Moorfield before moving to 'the town' in1972.
He was first and foremost a 'family man' and was never happier than when his six children Marie, Breda, Bernardine, Stephen, Dominic and Sinead, all of who married and settled locally were around him. This in turn allowed him to have constant contact with his grandchildren Conor, Terry, Kelly, Ryan, Donna, Shaun, Matt, Ruairi, Eoin, Caionn, Phelim and James.
John was a GAA enthusiast: he enjoyed football and hurling equally and made the annual trip to the All Ireland Hurling Final for many years. He was a true Trillick Gael and served the St Macartan's Club in many roles, the earliest being as a player, representing them at every level. He was an active member on the Club's committee and presided as Chairman on two occasions. In 1970 he offered his services as Club Referee and during this career he had the privilege of winning a Referees Railway Cup medal. At the time of his death, he was an Honorary Vice- President of the Club. He was a lifetime Pioneer.
In latter years, he discovered 'old tyme dancing'. This he thoroughly enjoyed as he made many friends through it, all of who he looked forward to meeting every Friday night at some local venue accompanied, of course, by his good friend Patsy McCaughey.
The very large attendance at his wake and funeral bore testimony to the esteem in which John was held within the local community and far beyond.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by Canon John McKenna, aided by Fr McGourty and Fr Brian D'Arcy. Music and singing were rendered by Patricia Rogers, Jim Magee, John's daughter Sinead and Enda McGlon. The liturgical duties were all carried out by his family members. Trillick GAA members formed a guard of honour, and the burial was in Magheralough.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by his sons, Stephen and Dominic with the help of family friends Frank Hagan, Gerry Murphy and Liam Jones.
John is survived by his wife Rosaleen, his children Marie (Garrity), Breda (McGrenaghan), Bernadine (Conlin), Stephen, Dominic and Sinead ( Moncreiff); sons-in-law John, Phil, Aiden and Jason; daughters-in-law Roisin and Celine; grandchildren and large family circle.
Courtesy of the Fermanagh Herald
21st May 2008
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