Tributes were played this week to Alo Scallon, a man woven into the very fabric of life in Irvinestown, who passed away peacefully on Monday morning. 
Mr Scallon is survived by his wife Ann, sons Kevin, Francie, Conor, daughter Elizabeth and 16 grandchildren. He was a familiar face among Fermanagh GAA people and had a long association with Irvinestown St Molaise GAA club where he was honorary president. Along with his wife Ann he was also a founding member of Comhaltas in Irvinestown and they were both lifelong pioneers and golden pin wearers to denote fifty years in the Pioneer Association. 
Speaking to the Impartial Reporter on Tuesday his son Francie explained that there had been a huge outpouring of support for the family:
“There have been so many people calling to the house to pay their respects and so many are saying the same thing, that he was not only a gentleman but a gentle man too. He never had a cross word with anyone and there has been so much goodwill from everyone,” he said. 
Mr Scallon served as a long-time treasurer at Irvinestown St Molaise and acted as a gate man at some of the biggest GAA matches in Ireland, including at Croke Park for numerous All Ireland finals. It is indeed fitting that one of the last initiatives he drove at his beloved Irvinestown GAA club was the erection of a new set of gates for the ground. Designed and built by his son Conor, who is an engineer, the gates were a gift to the club from the Scallon family. Permanently erected at the ground in 2017 they will act as a fitting legacy for Mr Scallon. 
“People are coming from all walks. Obviously there have been people from the GAA, but also from Comhaltas and from the Pioneer Association as well as people who knew him throughout the community. The whole family is very touched,” his son stated. 
Mr Scallon saw two of his great loves come together just last month when his granddaughter, Dearbhla, an All Ireland scor winner in solo singing, sang the Irish National Anthem at the Ulster final, where Fermanagh competed with Donegal for the Anglo Celt trophy. 
Described as a devoted husband and father Mr Scallon and his wife Ann were an inseparable duo: “He was devoted to mum, they went everywhere together. Up until he became too sick to travel, mum and dad would travel the length and breadth of Ireland going to fleadhs. He had such a love for Irish music and culture,” Mr Scollan’s son Francie revealed, before adding: “And wherever we needed to go as kids he would go with us. I don’t think he ever missed a football match or anything like that. Whether it was athletics, football, cross country or music he would have been there.”
Mr Scallon was diagnosed with cancer five years ago, but his son explains that he was determined to live every day of his life despite his illness: “I think initially it was a shock to him, but he became very philosophical about it. He said, ‘I have it but I am still going to live life’. And he did too, I think the grandkids really helped in that respect, but he really got on with things and enjoyed life.”
Mr Scallon’s funeral service took place yesterday, Wednesday, at Sacred Heart Church, Irvinestown.