Herbert (Herbie) Ross passed away peacefully at South West Acute Hospital on July 8, aged 94 years. He was born on May 24, 1920 near Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone and was the third eldest of seven children.

After completing his primary education, he attended Strabane Technical College where his studies included Shorthand, Typewriting, Book Keeping, Commercial Correspondence, Mathematics and English. He excelled at shorthand achieving 150 words per minute.

In 1939, as a 19-year-old, he joined the RUC. His first stations were Springfield Road and Glenravel Street, both in Belfast.

In May 1941, he almost lost his life in a German air raid when Glenravel Street RUC Station was hit and six of his colleagues died instantly.

Fortunately for Herbie he was rescued alive and he soon transferred to Kesh which was a quiet place to help him recover properly from his near death experience.

He always had very clear memories of those German air raids on Belfast.

While stationed in Kesh, he married Gretta Quinn and they had three children, Graham, Leslie and Helen, who between them gave Herbie eight grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

In January 1970, he retired from the RUC after 31 years service and took up employment with the Western Education and Library Board, initially as Supervisor of Caretakers and Cleaners in the schools in Fermanagh but after two years he was appointed Grounds Maintenance Manager for the schools.

He retired from this work on pensionable age which was then 65 years.

In 2001 when his wife Gretta died, Herbie was still a very fit man but a year later he took a heart attack. He subsequently underwent triple bypass heart surgery in the week of his 85th birthday and continued to enjoy a good quality of life. However, the past couple of years saw a decline in his health and he became housebound, relying on the excellent support of his family, his carers, and his neighbours.

His main pastime was his love for playing bowls which he did for 45 years. He was a founding member of Enniskillen Presbyterian Church’s bowling club and played in numerous tournaments including many beyond Fermanagh.

He also played for the County Fermanagh representative team for approximately five years.

The funeral service took place on July 10 in Enniskillen Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. David Cupples.

The hymns were: “What a friend we have in Jesus”, “Passing Onward” and “We’re Going Home to Glory Soon.” The service was followed by interment in Breandrum Cemetry.

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