The people of Killadeas and surrounding areas have been shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Reginald Andrew Brown, of Tullylammy Road, Moynaghan South. Mr. Brown, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), had been diagnosed with a form of leukaemia in November, 2011.

Better known as Reg or Reggie, he was the younger son of the late Tom and Lily Brown and grew up in the neighbouring townland of Drogan. He often reflected that these were idyllic times, surrounded by family love and a simple, God-fearing approach to life.

Reg was always keen on music and thoroughly enjoyed his time in Killadeas Church choir and as a member of the Choral Society. With wide musical interests, he was also a member for some years of The Rhythm Sparks, the band run by Robert Wilson, playing at dances throughout the county and beyond. Indeed, it was at one such dance, that, as a teenager, he was to meet his future wife, then Heather Dundas, from Letterbreen.

After leaving Portora Royal School, Reg studied at one of the colleges of the University of London and spent some time at the University of Caen, in France, where he gained the Higher Diploma in French Studies.

He made teaching his career. His witty mother used to say that he was "an Irishman teaching Englishmen French!" Following their marriage in Mullaghdun Church, Reg and Heather made their home in north London, not far from where he worked, later moving to South-east Hertfordshire, where they were to remain for many years. At the marriage service, a piece of music, specially written for the occasion by the groom, was sung by Mrs. Ivis Taylor, wife of the then Rector of Killadeas, the Rev. James McMurray-Taylor.

They went on to have three children, of whom Reg was always immensely proud, and surrounded them with love and care and a good grounding in morality and the church. For the baptism of their first daughter, they returned to Killadeas Church and the Rev. Taylor. Again, Reg composed music for the service - this time a hymn.

Throughout his teaching career, Reg always took part in the musical activities of his school, whether running music groups or choirs or arranging and composing for the school choir or smaller singing groups.

As promotion followed promotion, Reg was spending less time actually teaching French and became very involved with computer work, writing and maintaining an extensive suite of programmes to aid the running of a large, complex school, with over 1600 pupils and some 110 staff.

When he eventually retired from teaching, he worked for some time in the financial sector, becoming a Mortgage Adviser for a large, national company based in the English Midlands.

A few years ago, Reg and Heather returned to their roots in Fermanagh and very much enjoyed picking up the threads they had left behind, with Reg soon getting involved again with the choir and writing and arranging many more pieces of music.

Reg is survived by Heather, brother Jim, daughters Alison and Emma (son-in-law Gary), son Jonathan (daughter-in-law Bronya) and grandchildren Holly, Bradley and Thompson.

The funeral took place at Killadeas Church with burial in the adjacent graveyard. The arrangements were by George McFarland and Reg had left instructions for the hymns to be "Just as I am," "Abide with me," and "Nearer my God to Thee." The organist was Mrs. Joan Nelson.