Rodney Watson, who was awarded the MBE in 2008, passed away suddenly, but peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, September 7, 2014, without suffering illness. He was 59 and was very much looking forward to planning his 60th birthday in July 2015.

Born in Armagh in 1955, he was the first son of Pearl and Archie Watson and a younger brother to Jacqueline: brothers Robert and Richard followed to complete the family.

Rodney attended the Royal School Armagh later going on to study Hospitality at Portrush Catering College, initially for two years but stayed for a third year to study Front of House and Housekeeping. Rodney maintained close friendships with his friends from his days on the “North Coast”.

The Watson family originally owned Drumsill House Hotel in Armagh where Mrs. Pearl Watson managed the successful business and where Rodney obviously developed his taste for what was to become his life in the hospitality industry.

The Watsons purchased the Killyhevlin Hotel in 1976 and they brought their successful style of family managerial methods to Fermanagh and set to work on raising the profile of the Killyhevlin to its current four star status. Mrs. Watson, Jacqueline and Rodney worked closely together within the hotel, each with their own area of responsibility but ultimately all had the same desire to succeed.

On Mrs. Watson’s retirement Rodney and Jacqueline continued to manage and develop the Killyhevlin Hotel as Co-Directors. Rodney was immensely proud of “The Killy” and always appreciated the loyalty and dedication of the team who helped make it thus and considered them very much part of his family.

Prior to the ceasefire in Northern Ireland, tourism was a hard sell and Rodney made tourism his crusade. He marketed, supported, lobbied and voiced his opinions wherever he could to let everyone know there was an untapped and under supported tourism industry in Northern Ireland and that Fermanagh was very special and Enniskillen in particular was an integral part of the industry’s potential and future.

Rodney attended, chaired and presided over many hospitality and tourism groups: the Fermanagh Lakelands Hotel Association, Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism, the Northern Ireland Hotel Federation and was affiliated to many other groups through these connections.

In 2008 Rodney was awarded his greatest accolade for his work in tourism. He received his MBE from Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace: he was so proud and displayed his medal at every appropriate opportunity. Rodney continued to work for tourism, for hospitality, for funding and training; promoting the industry within the remit of the Destination Fermanagh Tourism Strategy.

Rodney met Leigh in 1987 and they married in January 1991. Leigh too had a background in the hospitality industry and also took up a position with the team at the Killyhevlin working with Rodney.

Rodney had a great love of animals and they welcomed several very spoiled black Labradors into their lives. While they both enjoyed holidays abroad, they favoured holidays in Ireland which allowed their dogs to go too.

Rodney’s great sporting passion was for race horses, a love especially shared with his father Archie. Rodney travelled all over Ireland, North and South to attend and support point-to-point meetings.

Often he had a runner, many times a winner and a video came home to relive the highlights. He played a part in Fermanagh Harriers’ annual point-to-point at Necarne: enjoying both the racing and the camaraderie year on year. He was known by everyone at all the race meetings often giving his own tips! Rodney enjoyed his family’s annual bumper race at Down Royal in memory of his late father and revelled in organising his tables and seating plans at Down Royal, Galway, Aintree and Cheltenham. The racing papers, race card, a well chewed pen and mobile phone, his membership badges, binoculars, Crombie and flat cap were never far from his hand and the race commentaries, which Rodney listened to intently, could never be interrupted for any reason! Rodney had a great interest in horse welfare and tended to adopt the lame and less able horses when a syndicate lost interest, always looking out for a good home for them.

Rodney belonged to many local societies and associations including Round Table, 41 Club, Rotary, Fermanagh Harriers, and Masonic Lodge 205: Star in the East, as well as local golf clubs. He also enjoyed time spent fishing in “the West” and his days at local pheasant shoots.

He had a great interest in the local community and supported many events through sponsorship including Ballinamallard Football Club, Enniskillen Rugby Club, Rangers Football Club, The Fermanagh Gaels, rowing at Portora, local theatre group productions and various church funds. He saw no boundaries in religion or belief.

A service of thanksgiving was held in Ballycassidy House Funeral Home on September 10, 2014, led by the Rev. John McClenaghan, who also led the service at the private cremation at Roselawn. Tributes were read by Alexander Graham (close friend from college and best-man), Sean Hoy (family friend), and Robert Watson (brother). The music was played by Miss Jane McKinley (Killyhevlin Hotel).

The funeral arrangements were by Funeral Director Austen Stinson, W.T. Morrison, Enniskillen. Leigh and the immediate family are indebted to both Austen and Rev. McClenaghan for all their help and support.

Rodney will be greatly missed by his wife Leigh, his mother Pearl, sister Jacqueline, brothers Robert and Richard and their families, the greater family circle, his friends, colleagues and by all the Management and Staff of the Killyhevlin Hotel.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Austen Stinson of W.T. Morrison, Enniskillen.