Turbitt, Damian; McAleer, Peter
April 04, 2013
St Enda's mourns passing of popular members
Tributes have been paid to two members of St Enda's GAA Club who passed away over the Easter period.
Damian Turbitt, 58, a longtime stalwart of the club, died on Saturday following a short illness, while club member Peter McAleer, 75, whose family have had close associations with St Enda's over the years, passed away on Tuesday.
The late Mr Turbitt was a member of a well-known family whose hairdressing business was based in Campsie. Early in his career, he taught hairdressing at Enniskillen Technical College and then at Omagh Technical College before joining the family business which was run by his late mother, Vera. In more recent times he continued the business on a part-time basis from his Dublin Road home.
He was well-known in Irish dancing circles and enjoyed a deep love of Irish music and culture.
He was a member of the Scor dancing teams for several decades and held the distinction of bringing St Enda's its first ever All-Ireland dancing title in Scor back in 1973 when he won Tyrone, Ulster and All-Ireland honours in the solo dancing category. Since then he helped the club pick up many more titles in ceili and set dancing and more recently was involved in the Strictly Come Ceili fundraiser for the club.
Mr Turbitt was also a well-known Irish dancing adjudicator and regularly travelled to Dublin, Cork and Galway as part of his role. A minute's silence was observed at last weekend's World Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin which he had planned to attend. He enjoyed an active social life and particularly relished the company of his nephews and nieces.
Just eight weeks ago, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and prior to his passing he had been looked after by staff at the Palliative Care Unit at Tyrone County Hospital to whom the family extended sincere thanks. Requiem Mass was held in the Sacred Heart Church on Monday celebrated by Fr Michael McCaughey assisted by Fr Damien Bresnahan and Fr John McDevitt. Guards of honour were provided by St Enda's GAA Club, the Loreto Grammar School and various dancing schools from the area.
He was laid to rest with his late parents, Tommy and Vera, in Killyclogher cemetery. He is survived by four brothers, Gerard, Brendan, Brian and Martin and a wide circle of family and friends.
Meanwhile, the funeral takes place this morning (Thursday) of Peter McAleer, whose family has enjoyed close links with St Enda's down through the years. Mr McAleer, from Dunbreen Close in Strathroy, passed away on Tuesday following an illness. In a statement, St Enda's said, "In a week when we mourned the passing of our long time Scor dancer Damian Turbitt, we now regret to announce the death of another esteemed club member Peter McAleer.
"Brother of our club president, Brendan, and father of youth coach, Kevin, Peter was a well known and highly regarded club supporter who was a key figure in the development and promotion of social club activities down through the years.
"A jovial and friendly man, Peter was instrumental in organising snooker and darts teams in the club throughout the 80s and 90s and was always a staunch supporter of all events in the club. He took great pride in seeing his children, and now grandchildren, participate with the various St Enda's youth teams."
Mr McAleer is survived by his wife Rose, sons Kevin and Peter, daughters Maureen and Kerry and was predeceased by a daughter, Anna. He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Brendan, Tommy, Ray, Fonsie, Ita and Peggy and large family circle. Requiem Mass takes place in Christ the King Church today (Thursday) at noon with interment afterwards in Killyclogher cemetery,
Courtesy of The Ulster Herald
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