A retired member of the farming community, who was held in high regard, Mr. James Crooke West, always known as Jim, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at his home at Stonefield, Ballycassidy, on Monday, May 12, 2014. Prior to his death he enjoyed very good health and his 80th birthday celebration last September proved a joyous occasion.

Jim was born on September 8, 1933, at Ballycassidy, a son of James and Ethel West. A member of a well-known family, his father was a sawmill and quarry owner. One in a family of three, Jim’s brother Michael and sister Jill survive him.

Jim started his education at Shanmullagh Primary School and he then went to Portora Royal School, where he became a boarder; due to war time airfield activity in the area, the road was closed at times and it would not be guaranteed that he would get the bus to school.

On completing his education at Portora, he went to Greenmount Agricultural College, where he studied agriculture. He came home to Fermanagh and set up a dairy farm and sheep farm at Stonefield - the home place, which was built by his grandfather, who also built Rossahilly House.

Jim married Evelyn McCusker from Lisbellaw in 1962 and their marital home was made at Laragh, before they moved from the bungalow and the family settled at Stonefield in 1987. They had one daughter Mary, who was born in 1966. Mary helped out on the family farm prior to taking up a career in nursing. Jim continued to work until he retired. His grandsons, William and James were a source of great pleasure to Jim, who enjoyed a very close relationship with them over the years.

A major interest for Jim was motorbikes - a long held passion from his youth, and he also enjoyed scrambling competitively. Over the years he would have travelled to all motorbike races, including vintage motorcycle events around Ireland.

A keen rugby player from his schooldays at Portora and then at Greenmount, he also played at Enniskillen Rugby Football Club. He was a great rugby supporter and loved following matches. His interest in rugby was shared by his grandsons, who also played, and he went to all their games.

As a boy living beside St. Angelo Airfield - through the years of WWII - he developed a keen interest in the RAF who had a base also at Castle Archdale. A favourite Uncle Ronald West (known affectionately as Ron) served as a pilot and, sadly, was shot down over Belgium in 1942. This had a profound effect on Jim at the time. After the war he started corresponding with the Canadian Air Force Association - many of the Force would have flown out from Castle Archdale and St Angelo - and he continued regular contact up until his death. An avid reader, he had a wonderful memory. He loved 1939 to 1945 war time reading and he is remembered as an authority on World War II. Motor racing and rugby books were also much favoured reading material for Jim, who always read The Daily Telegraph every day, enjoying its in-depth coverage. Television was another favourite of Jim’s.

The funeral service - a Service of Thanksgiving for his life - was held at the family church, Trory Parish. It was led by the Rev. Mark Watson and the organist was Barbara Somerville. The joint choirs of Trory and Killadeas Parishes took part in the service. The hymns were “Abide with Me,” “Fill Thou My Life, Oh Lord My God” and “For the Beauty of the Earth” considered appropriate to Jim’s life. Burial was at Trory Churchyard. Refreshments were served afterwards at Ballycassidy House Funeral Home by Mahon’s Hotel, Irvinestown.

Jim is survived by his wife Evelyn, daughter Mary, and grandsons William and James. He leaves his brother Michael and wife Ruth, and his sister Jill (wife of the late David). Also surviving Jim are family on his wife’s side, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, the wider family circle and his friends.

The funeral arrangements were by Funeral Directors, Austen Stinson, W.T. Morrison, Enniskillen. Donations, in lieu, were to Action Cancer.