CARRIED in his own hearse, undertaker and former politician Pat Cox left his Largy home last Friday and travelled down the long concrete lane for the last time.

Mourners lined the road at the bottom of the hill as the husband, father and grandfather began his final journey, passing a sign poignantly enough for ‘Wake House – Pat Cox Funeral Director’.

The 71 year old who also worked as a plumber died unexpectedly at his home last week a month after he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Mary.

During his funeral at St. Mary’s Church in Tempo, mourners heard how Mr. Cox’s family values were the “blocks and cement” he used in “bringing about change” in the community.

Father John Halton said Mr. Cox, known for his sense of humour and straight talking approach to life, “had the capacity to make all of us feel special.”

“With his joyful, talkative, and caring personality he took the best out of us, and allowed us to take the best out of him. He helped us look at the funny side of life, and to acquire the capacity to laugh at ourselves,” he said.

Mr. Cox was a family man, said Fr. Halton, “and he never forgot that the family came first.”

“These family values are the blocks and cement which Pat used in bringing about change in his own parish and in the wider community. For Pat became a public figure, and a leader in both.”

He offered his sympathies to Mr. Cox’s wife Mary, his children; Gerald, Luke and Catherine, siblings; Tom, Brigid, Hugh, John and Rosaleen and grandchildren; Daryl, Adam, Shane, Eamear, Cahal, Sarah, Ciana and Regan.

A member of Cavancarragh Band and its committee for over a quarter of a century, Mr. Cox also proudly carried the staff in the band for 27 years.

“In carrying the staff, he knew that he carried a new generation with him, and encouraged many young people not only to develop their talents, but also to develop a love for music and their love for Irish music and song,” said Fr. Halton.

Mr. Cox developed a great love for old time dancing and music “and the craic, banter and fun that went with it”, traits he brought to the Vincent de Paul Society where he enjoyed helping out.

Fr. Halton said the lifelong republican will be remembered mostly as a councillor, having served on Fermanagh District Council for 23 years, firstly with Sinn Fein, then as an independent.

He said Mr. Cox had the gift to disagree “without being disagreeable and to remain close friends with those with whom he disagreed.”

“He served at a difficult time, but here also with his family qualities. He became respected and admired. Here he gained people’s respect for he was a person of integrity; a person who sought fair play and justice for all, no matter which church, or party they belonged.

“He had the capacity to accept that we can only build a new society when we accept that people are different and that we must accept difference if we are to live together in justice, harmony, and peace,” said Fr. Halton.