A well-known and highly regarded member of The Impartial Reporter staff for over half a century, Mr. Joseph (Joe) Cecil Scott, late of 6 Elliott Place, Enniskillen, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on April 30, 2014, aged 88 years, following a period of declining health.

Joe, a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was born on July 9, 1925 at St. Angelo, Ballycassidy, the eldest son of the late Joseph and Enid Scott and brother of Stewart, Nelson and Ethel.

He attended Shanmullagh Primary School, leaving at the age of 14 to take up employment at The Impartial Reporter, Enniskillen, where he worked as a compositor and a linotype operator for 51 years! According to his family all those years on the job made him ‘the best back to front and upside down reader’ ever. While working in The Impartial, he continued his studies at the Technical College, Enniskillen and early in his career, he was also a member of the Air Training Corps (ATC).

Joe met Mary, formerly Given, from Donegal, in September 1959, and after a whirlwind romance they got married five months later in February 1960. The couple had two daughters, Marie and Elizabeth, and Joe enjoyed a close relationship with his eight grandchildren William, Barbara, Richard, Rachel, Christopher, Conor, Lauren and Ryan and a great grandson Kellen. He was described by many as a quiet gentleman.

In his younger years, Joe pursued many sports playing badminton, cricket, football, bowls, tennis and darts. His interest in bowling saw him enjoy membership of both the Cathedral and Rossorry bowling clubs. In retirement, he enjoyed travelling abroad and continued his interest in nature, gardening and growing his own vegetables, a passion shared by Mary.

Throughout his life, he was a keen collector of stamps and postcards; they were his pride and joy and his collection, which spanned the decades, included stamps and postcards from all around the world.

Joe was always interested in crosswords and quizzes and enjoyed answering all the questions on shows such as Countdown, Pointless and Mastermind. His grandchildren reckoned their grandfather, a very knowledgeable figure, was the original walking and talking Wikipedia long before the internet version was invented!

Joe and Mary did a huge amount of work for Arthritis Research over the years and the highlight of their charitable efforts was their invitation in 2006 to Buckingham Palace, where they attended a garden party, hosted by Her Majesty The Queen.

Joe’s funeral - a Service of Thanksgiving for his life - took place at St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, on Saturday, May 3. It was conducted by the Very Rev. Kenneth R.J. Hall (Dean), assisted by the Rev. Rob Clements. The hymns, which had been chosen by Joe himself, were “How Great Thou Art”, “Rock of Ages”, and “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”. Readings were delivered by his grandson Christopher Kearns and by his granddaughter Barbara Venton. Burial took place at Rossorry Churchyard.

Joe is fondly remembered by his wife, Mary, and daughters Marie and husband George in Ayr, Elizabeth and husband Brian in Magherafelt and his eight grandchildren, William and fiancee Joanne; Barbara and fiance Mark; Richard; Rachel; Christopher and wife Joanne; Conor; Lauren and Ryan; and his great grandson Kellen. Also by his brother Stewart and sister-in-law Joyce, brother Nelson and sister-in-law Olive, and his sister Ethel and brother-in-law Charlie, and the wider family circle.

The funeral arrangements were by S.R. Elliott and Sons, Darling Street, Enniskillen.