Mr. Dennis Abram

Editorial Department • Published 17 Jun 2010 16:00

Dennis Abram passed away peacefully at home in the presence of his wife Marina and sons Kenneth and Brian at 6.15am on June 3, 2010 at the age of 74 years. He was the youngest of his brothers Billy and Cecil and his eldest sister Elizabeth (Lily) who passed away last year at the age of 93.

Dennis was born on April 27, 1936 in Belfast and his mother was Ruby Abram (nee Mulholland) and lived at 22 Wolseley Street, Belfast. His stepfather was William George Abram. His mother Ruby sadly died suddenly prior to Dennis being evacuated from Belfast in 1940 at the age of four and he grew up mainly in Ballinamallard and was raised by his foster parents whom he called Uncle Curry and Aunty Madge Betty and whom he was particularly fond of. He went to the Magheracross Primary School, Baragh Road and as Uncle Curry was an organist at the Magheracross Parish Church, Dennis would put up the hymn numbers each Sunday morning. He also went to Ballinamallard Primary School. After the war was over, Dennis went back briefly to Belfast but wanted to return to Ballinamallard.

He joined the Ballinamallard Flute Band in 1952 which later became the Ballinamallard Silver band were he played the 1st Cornet.

After leaving the Enniskillen Technical College in 1953, Dennis worked in the Motor taxation office for four years in Enniskillen when he then resigned having been mobilized for full time service with the Royal Ulster Constabulary in 1957.

Having met Marina (nee Bridges) from Aughaward they got married at St. Macartin's Cathedral on December 4, 1957 and lived at Burfits Hill, Irvinestown. After the birth of his first son Kenneth in 1959 the family moved to Glengormley, Belfast and in 1963 Dennis joined the Admiralty Constabulary at the Royal Naval Aircraft Yard at Sydenham which is now Belfast City Airport.

It is while he was in Glengormley in 1964 his second son was born - Brian.

Dennis then served a long career in the Ministry of Defence Police after the Admiralty Constabulary amalgamated (joined up) and he then served at a number of different locations, RNAD Bandeath, Throsk, Navy Buildings Greenock both in Scotland, then RAE Aberporth in Wales and RAF Carlisle in England.

He was awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct medal (for 22 years exemplary Police Service), and continued on for a full 33 years active service and he had such good health that to the family's knowledge only ever had one or two days off work due to any illness in all those years, before retiring on April 29, 1996. Dennis and Marina then decided to move back home to Enniskillen and lived at Coole Drive, Castlecoole. Dennis has been very respected within the community and he enjoyed meeting old friends and relations again and taking part in a new hobby - indoor bowling.

He was a volunteer guide at St. Macartin's Cathedral and was a member of the Cardiac Support Group. For the past six years he was the Secretary for Age Concern Enniskillen and only resigned due to his ill health on June 1, 2010. No doubt he will be very sadly missed.

Despite all he gave he was ill for a long, long time and never complained about his health. He always had a positive attitude, and he always said after each treatment: 'I will just have to take it in my stride'.

It wasn't until after he retired that he began to have health problems. He lost the sight in one eye, he then had a heart attack, and then in February 2003 he received the news that he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon.

He had such strength in his soul to always say when asked how he felt to reply, 'I'm fine'.

On April 27, 2006 Marina secretly planned a 70th birthday party for Dennis at the Killyhevlin Hotel. He only expected his nephew William and his fiancée (now wife) Gillian to attend an evening meal with him. But to his surprise his sons Kenneth, wife Sue and Brian, Tracey and a grandchild Alexander turned up to surprise him.

In 2007 Dennis and Marina celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary with family and friends. It will always be remembered as a special evening because Dennis gave a wonderful memorable speech and a DVD video representing their married life together was shown.

His funeral service of thanksgiving was held in St. Macartin's Cathedral on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 2pm conducted by the Rev. Elizabeth Thompson. The hymns were: Old Rugged Cross, The Lord's my Shepherd and How Great thou Art. A fitting tribute was dedicated by his sons Kenneth and Brian. After the service a private family burial was at the Cross Cemetery.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by W.T. Morrison, Funeral Directors, and it was requested that any donations if desired to go to Palliative Transport Services Enniskillen and St. Macartin's Cathedral.

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This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 17 Jun 10

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