Mr. Gerald (Gerry) Knox

Editorial Department • Published 7 Jan 2010 09:00

The death of Gerald (Gerry) Knox took place at St. John's Hospice, Moggerhammer, Bedford, on December 8, 2009.

Gerry was born at Moneykee, Irvinestown, on May 25, 1927, the youngest of three brothers, sons of William Irvine Knox and Elizabeth Margaret Irvine Knox.

He was baptised, attended Sunday School and was confirmed in Derryvullen North Parish Church, where he was a regular attender at Sunday worship until his departure for Africa. He attended Castle Irvine school and Enniskillen Technical College, later working for E. C. Ferguson, solicitors, Enniskillen.

During the war years he was a member of the V-diggers, a concert party, who entertained in towns and villages of the county.

In 1950 he sailed for Tanganika and started working for the British Colonial Service. In 1961 he acquired a 10,000 acre wheat farm at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, and in 1965 moved to Kenya where he bought a 500 acre coffee plantation.

He had married Susan in Nairobi Cathedral in December 1962 and while in Kenya had two children, Cathryn and Jeremy.

In 1975 he returned to Norfolk as farm manager for Hapton Hall Estate near Norwich. He took a keen interest in farming and was Deputy Chairman of the National Farmers Union's Eastern Region. He was also an active member of the local Conservative Association, working closely with MP John McGregor.

He was a regular attender at his local church doing regular readings each Sunday.

Gerry retired from farming in the mid 1990's and enjoyed outings to watch Norwich City Football Club play, often having lunch cooked by Delia Smith, an avid Norwich City fan.

While in Africa, Gerry developed a real love of sailing, and after his retirement started a new career of charter yacht delivery - he completed two transatlantic crossings, the first in 1998 as skipper on a 60ft ketch, and in 2000, on a 50ft catamaran, sailing from Antigua, via the Azores to Southampton.

Back on dry land again, he became a regular supporter of horse racing and attended racing at Great Yarmouth frequently favouring the Irish horses, jockeys and trainers.

Gerry had a great love for his children, Cathryn and Jeremy, and had a special place in his heart for his grandchildren, George, Laura, Jessica and Joseph.

Despite having travelled so extensively, he loved to come home to Fermanagh and renew old friendships - his last visit was in July when he attended his brother Cecil's funeral. Gerry had requested that at his death, his remains should be buried in Derryvullen North churchyard, and so on December 16 a Service of Celebration for his life took place in Derryvullen North Parish Church, attended by family and many friends, and conducted by the rector, the Rev. Glenn West. The hymns were "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" and "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." Dr. Margaret Knox, sister-in-law, read the lesson from St. John chapter 14.

Rev. Glenn West gave a very moving and comforting address reminding all that Gerry was a man of faith and had lived a long and fulfilling life. The organist was Mr. Wilson Henry.

He was predeceased by his brothers Walter and Cecil and by his wife. He is survived by his daughter Cathryn, son Jeremy and daughter-in-law Julia, his grandchildren, sister-in-law Margaret Knox and nephew David.

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

Tweet

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 07 Jan 10

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.