St. Stephen’s Day saw the passing of retired St. Michael’s physics teacher, Leo McCarney (1932 to 2014).

Leo, late of Drumclay Road, Enniskillen, had suffered ill health for the past four years, but his death, which occurred in South West Acute Hospital, still came as a shock.

Born on April 11, 1932, Leo was one of seven children of Thomas and Mary (Minnie) McCarney, of Tatnadavney, Eskra, County Tyrone. Thomas’s death when Leo was aged just four, meant Minnie had to manage the farm and rear her seven children. When old enough, Leo helped his older brothers, Patsy and Tommy run the farm, which sparked his lifelong interest in farming. His other three brothers, Felix, Barney and Owen were ordained as priests. Felix served in Scotland, Owen went to Dublin and Barney served in Emyvale before becoming PP in Derrygonnelly, a position he held until his death. His sister Maureen, married publican Con Corrigan and moved to Clogher.

Educated in Eskra Primary School and Omagh CBS, Leo continued his studies in University College Dublin, in the 1950s, where he graduated in physics. Employed initially as a researcher for a cement company in London, he soon found his true vocation when asked to take up a temporary position in his old school, Omagh CBS.

Another temporary post, in St. Mary’s, Belfast, brought Leo to the city where he fell in love with his landlady’s sister, Ellie Donaghey. The couple married on August 10, 1959, and the following year a teaching opportunity presented itself at the original St. Michael’s College, Enniskillen, located where the Clinton Centre now stands in Belmore Street, while the current campus on Chanterhill was being built. Leo’s uncle and aunt, Felix and Susan Hackett owned a drapery shop on Main Street, where Dorothy Perkins is currently located, and helped them settle in to life in Enniskillen.

In St. Michael’s, Leo became the head of science and also taught Maths, but was primarily known as a physics teacher. A very capable teacher, he conveyed his love of science to his pupils. In an era when corporal punishment was permitted Leo seldom resorted to his leather strap, which he nicknamed ‘Jasper’.

In addition to teaching, Leo provided for his wife and seven children by also running a small farm in Tamlaght, as well as working for Littlewoods Football Pools, covering Fermanagh, Tyrone and Mid-Ulster.

Upon taking early retirement from St. Michael’s in 1991, Leo pursued his chief interests, gardening and breeding birds.

Leo will be fondly remembered by those who knew him as an inspiring science teacher and quietly spoken gentleman. Above all he was a devoted husband and family man. Blessed with a strong faith, he and Ellie were active in the Marriage Encounter movement. His loving wife of 55 years, Ellie cared for Leo at home until his passing.

His brother, Fr Owen McCarney was the chief concelebrant for requiem Mass in St. Michael’s Church, Enniskillen, with his remains interred in Cross Cemetery, Enniskillen.

Leo is survived by Ellie, brothers Canon Felix McCarney (Glasgow) and Fr Owen McCarney (Castletown, Wexford), children Majella MacNeice (Athlone), Fiona Rutherford (Bangor), Pauline Lawn (Lisnarick), Ciaran (Belfast), Aidan (Belnaleck), Roisin Reilly (Enniskillen), and Damian (Cavan) and their spouses and 19 grandchildren.