Mr. John Francis Maguire

Editorial Department • Published 19 Aug 2010 16:00 0 Comments

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The death has taken place peacefully at his home on August 6, 2010, of Mr. John Francis Maguire, Sydare (Glencoonra), Ballinamallard. Born in Sydare, Ballinamallard on October 22, 1924, John was the third child of seven, born to Patrick and Ellen Maguire.

After leaving school, John worked on the family farm until the age of 27, when he left Fermanagh to begin a new life in New York, working for some time in Saks Department Store, 5th Avenue, NYC as an Elevator Operator and Inskips, an importer of car parts based on 2nd Avenue. While in New York, John married Nancy Flatley in St. Ignatius Lyola Church, Park Avenue, on May 9, 1954. Nancy had emigrated to the US from Co. Mayo in 1947. The following year their first son Patrick was born and in 1956 they returned to Fermanagh to run the family farm due to the declining health of John’s father.

Over the years their family expanded with the arrival of Mary, Joseph, John, Ellen and Catherine and the establishment of their family business “Sydare Eggs.”

John loved all types of sport and took great pleasure from the fact that it was his Uncle Joe Maguire who donated the New York Gold Cup to the Fermanagh County Board for the Fermanagh Championship.

Another great love of John’s was music. He was a talented musician, a gift he inherited from his ancestors. His father Paddy was a gifted fiddle player and his Uncle Joe a renowned singer/songwriter, famous for his recording of ‘Lovely Lough Erne.’ As a young man John enjoyed singing in local halls where he was famous for his beautiful voice.

John’s home was always full of music reflecting his great love of Country and Traditional Irish music. The family have many happy memories of John playing his guitar and singing for them and their guests in Glencoonra. Those who knew John will also recall his unique gift of yodelling, which he retained even in latter years when his memory failed him in other ways. In recent months John could still be heard yodelling for family, carers and visitors.

John was a man of tremendous faith who led the family Rosary every night, believing that a “family who prayed together, stayed together.” Even in the latter stages of Alzheimers he could recite the Rosary daily with his beloved wife Nancy. John developed Alzheimers five years ago and was lovingly cared for at home by his devoted wife Nancy with the support of family and carers.

After contracting pneumonia, John was admitted to the Erne Hospital on June 20, 2010, where he spent five weeks before returning home on July 24. John passed away very peacefully on August 6 surrounded by his family.

John’s Funeral Mass took place at Sacred Heart Church, Irvinestown on Monday, August 9, 2010. It was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Michael McGourty PP whose homily beautifully depicted John’s life. His Mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Jim Moore (PP Fintona).

John is survived by his beloved wife Nancy, children Patrick, Mary, Joseph, John, Ellen and Catherine; daughters-in-law Doreen, Patricia and Sheila; sons-in-law Frank Woods, Eamon Jones and John Maguire; brother Andy (Irvinestown), sisters Vera (Belfast), Mona (Ohio, USA) and his 20 grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his brother Brian (New York), Sheila (New York) and Josie (Glasgow).

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Jim Barnett, Irvinestown.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 19 Aug 10

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