A well-known member of the Fermanagh community, Mr. John McKee, who had been one of the county’s most popular public servants prior to his early retirement, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2016, at Tudordale Care Home, Belfast, aged 77 years. His funeral service took place last Thursday, January 28, in Letterbreen Methodist Church, followed by private burial in Altnagelvin Cemetery.
John, whose home had been at Drumawill, Enniskillen for many years, had lived with Alzheimer’s for the best part of 20 years. He moved to Belfast in 2009 to be closer to his family.
Born in Londonderry and educated at Foyle College, he first came to Fermanagh in 1963 to work for the Enniskillen Rural Council, a public body with responsibility for a wide range of services. In his role as assistant engineer, John was instrumental in the provision of mains water and sewage. In 1967, the five local authorities were merged into Fermanagh County Council and John took responsibility for the water service. In 1973 the water supply became the responsibility of the Department of the Environment and John’s domain was extended. After an enjoyable 32-year career, the professional technical officer with the Water Executive took retirement in the 1990s, acknowledging the many good friends he made down the years.
John married the former Grace Mawhinney from Holywood, Co. Down, and they raised a family of five, Louise, Gayle, David, Karen and Nicholas who were all born in Enniskillen and educated in the county.
He had been an active member of Letterbreen Methodist Church, which had been a big part of his life, and where he had been very involved in youth work. He pursued a number of interests including the Masonic, the Orange Order, and the Ulster Unionists and he enjoyed playing bowls. When his family lived at Drumawill, he had been involved in the local community association.
John had been on the Board of Governors of Enniskillen High School, where three of his children had been pupils.
He had also been very involved and had held office in the trade union, NIPSA, and he was made a life time honorary member.
Very orientated towards children, his eight grandchildren were very important to him and the hands on grandfather had been very involved in their lives until declining health.
He loved County Fermanagh, where he appreciated the warmth of welcome and he felt it was a great place to raise his family.
John’s funeral service took place last Thursday afternoon, January 28, at Letterbreen Methodist Church and was conducted by the Rev. Sam McGuffin.
John’s son, the Rev. Nicholas McKee, a Church of England Minister, took part in the service. Burial followed in Altnagelvin Cemetery, Londonderry.
Immediately survived by his five children, Louise, Gayle, David, Karen and Nicholas, and his eight grandchildren Ben, Adam, Cailin, Sophie, Erin, Hannah, Joshua and Jack, he also leaves his two brothers Niall and Malcolm and the wider family circle.
The Funeral Directors were S.R.Elliott and Sons, Darling Street, Enniskillen; Donations in lieu if desired are to Alzheimer’s Society c/o S.R. Elliott’s.