THE daughter of Pat Cox, a former councillor on Fermanagh District Council, has said she will remember her “larger than life” father “with great fondness and love.”
Mr. Cox, who worked as a plumber and undertaker, died on Tuesday evening at his home at Largy just weeks after he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Mary. 
The 71 year old’s unexpected death has “shocked” his children; Gerald, Luke and Catherine who spoke yesterday (Wednesday) of her “deep sadness.”
“Daddy was a great man and a great father, he’s going to be missed more than anything. We are heartbroken,” Mrs. Smyth told The Impartial Reporter.
Mr. Cox was considered an election strategist and was involved in Bobby Sands’ election campaign. He was a long standing councillor having served Fermanagh District Council for 23 years, firstly for Sinn Fein and then as an Independent after a fall out with his former party in 2010. 
The straight talking politician told this newspaper at the time: “Nobody is going to control Pat Cox. Pat Cox is his own man and nobody will put a skin on me.
“I am still a republican, I am still here to do whatever is needed to be done.”
During Council meetings, Mr. Cox made sure his point was heard and sometimes even banged his fist repeatedly on the table in front of him. 
His daughter says her father “loved people” and “people loved him back.”
“And he loved the Council, he never turned anyone away regardless of their race or religion. 
“One thing about Daddy is that he was not sectarian, that was not allowed in our house when we were growing up. He would have helped anyone,” she said. 
Mr. Cox had been working just before his death with her eldest son Daryl.
“We are all shocked and heartbroken,” she said.
“I will remember Daddy with great fondness and love, he was great craic, we had a great relationship and I will remember us laughing,” said Mrs. Smyth.
Bernice Swift of victims group Fírinne, where Mr. Cox was a trustee and former chairman, expressed her “deep sorrow” on behalf of the organisation at the death of her friend.
“Pat was a long-standing member and former Chairman of Fírinne who was totally committed and an untiring human rights activist on behalf of all families bereaved as a result of state violence. 
“Pat conducted all of his work with much passion, vigour, tenacity, kindness and indeed good humour, he will be greatly missed and very fondly remembered by everyone at Firinne,” she said. 
Mrs. Swift, who is also an independent councillor, said Mr. Cox will be “sadly missed.”
“Pat Cox was one man you were always delighted to see coming to the door with his big smile, big laugh, great craic and asking about everybody, he will be sadly missed but always fondly remembered with a smile and no doubt some tears. I already miss my good old friend,” she said.
Mr. Cox’s funeral will take place at St. Mary’s Church in Tempo tomorrow (Friday) at 11am and will be conducted by Father John Halton.