A much loved husband, father and grandfather, Mr. John Albert (Bertie) Johnston passed away peacefully at South West Acute Hospital on February 25, 2014, aged 86 years.

Born on January 16, 1928, he was the second son of Margaret Anna and John Johnston, of Altaveague, Tully, Corranny, Rosslea. One in a family of five children, he was educated at Doon School.

Bertie’s mother died when he was only six years old. It was only 13 days after his sister Peggy (Mrs. Elliott) of Belmount, Magheraveely was born.

Bertie lived and worked on the family farm after the death of his mother. His sisters Eadie and Peggy went to live with their Aunt Sadie (Mrs. Bleakley, Shannock, Magheraveely). Bertie was raised by his father John along with his sister and brother, the late Lily Hogg and Jim.

He met the former Annie Noble, while she worked in Lisnaskea, and they married a year later on April 4, 1956. There was great joy when their son, Albert, was born.

They sold up the family farm and moved to set up a new life in May 1959 at Skelgagh, Clogher, where Bertie lived until his passing.

Bertie, who was overjoyed when his daughters Thelma and then Sandra were born, was always a hard worker. No task was too difficult and he had good ideas. He was always an early riser and usually up by 5am. (This long-held routine even continued up until he went into hospital.) Over the years, there was a wide variety of animals on his farm. They included pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese, but he always liked the dairy herd best.

When in better health, he was a keen gardener, and he always had a vegetable garden and in his words, a cut of spuds.

Bertie was hurt by the farm bull some years ago and spent some time in hospital. His general farm duties had to be cut back at that stage.

Among his interests had been Aghadrumsee LOL 1325, which he joined in June 1943. A member of the Lodge for over 70 years, he had been a member of Aghadrumsee band for many years.

An active figure, as long as he was able, he had been out and about helping with chores in the yard up until the past winter.

His five grandchildren, Amy, Tommi, Andrew, Rachel and Matthew were very important to Bertie, who had great time for them and taught them a lot about gardening and so on.

A man with a good and caring nature, Bertie always enjoyed people, family and friends calling for a ceilidhe and a bit of a chat. Noone was allowed to leave unless they had received a cup of tea. Bertie had a great memory and knew whom people were related to. He was always so appreciative of anything that was ever done for him.

He always had a good eye if anyone had a new coat or shoes and he would tell them the item looked well and wished them health to enjoy it. Sweets, particularly boiled sweets were a favourite of Bertie’s.

His funeral service was held in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Clogher on February 27, followed by interment in St. Mark’s Parish Churchyard, Aghadrumsee.

Surviving Bertie are his wife Annie, son Albert, daughters Thelma (Ronnie), Sandra (Robert), grandchildren Amy, Tommi, Andrew, Rachael and Matthew, and sister Peggy (Mrs. Elliott, Magheraveely). He was predeceased by his brother Jim and by his sisters Lily (Hogg) and Eadie (Irwin), The funeral arrangements were by S.R. Elliott and Sons, Funeral Directors, Darling Street, Enniskillen.