Mr. Patrick James Farry

A well-known and popular figure in the Trillick area, he was born in Liffer on Tuesday, April 2, the eldest child of James and Rose Farry (née Breen).

He was predeceased by his brothers Denis and John and by his sisters Rose and Bridie.

Patsy was the ‘go-to’ man in the Trillick area if people had any mechanical problems with heavy machinery. He was particularly sought after in relation to repair work for tractors, diggers and bulldozers. His real interest always lay in mechanical work for Patsy, who worked as a builder and a farmer with local employers such as Emersons and the late Jim Breen. On leaving Grannan School aged 14, he went to work for his neighbour and lifelong friend, the late Charlie Donnelly of Kilnock. He learned the fundamentals of his trade there and developed his innovative and resourceful approach to all mechanical things.

He had a genuine enthusiasm for his work and it was a labour of love for him to stick at an engineering or mechanical problem until he found the answer. Patsy always worked in good humour, and the bigger the problem, the happier he was. Even after completing a full day’s work, Patsy would have helped out a neighbour in an emergency by ‘splitting’ an engine. With a solution in sight, he would have become engrossed in his work. Cold, rain or the passing of time wouldn’t have bothered Patsy, whose cheerful, positive approach and his deep knowledge of all mechanical matters meant that he was a genius at fixing the unfixable. Other local employers whom Patsy worked with included Darcys, Baxters, Jim Campbell, Noel Patterson, McAleer and Teague, Mills and Keys.

Patsy had a keen interest in motorsport and regularly marshalled for the Circuit and other local rallies which – happily for Patsy – often went past his lane around Cunninghams’ Cross in Liffer. In his younger days, he was a motorbike enthusiast with his BSA bike. However it probably was the original Mini (Cooper and Cooper S) that he most appreciated. Patsy was an excellent, safe and reliable driver. He could ‘handle’ any car, and some of his neighbours admit that their interest in cars dates from a sideways spin with Patsy in a Club Sport 911 up the Liffer Road in the 1970s. He married Kathleen on April 3, 1970, and he was a devoted family man, not only to Kathleen and to their son Martin, but also to his own parents, Jimmy and Rose and to his grandchildren, Róisín and Seán. Patsy hadn’t an enemy in the world. Kind, loyal and unfailingly light-hearted, he was great company.

Remembered for his ready smile, under his trademark yellow Caterpillar cap, he was a familiar and welcome part of local life. Patsy is survived by his wife Kathleen, his son Martin, his daughter-in-law Ciara, and by his grandchildren Róisín and Seán. He also leaves his brothers Michael and Kevin, his sister Sue, and a wide circle of other relatives, neighbours and friends.