Highly regarded artist, model maker, teacher and writer passes away
Lily Dane • Published 5 Oct 2012 12:48
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Talented artist and model maker Gordon Johnson (who passed away early yesterday, Thursday) at work on one of his many models.
One of Fermanagh's best-known artists, Gordon Johnson, model maker, teacher, and writer passed away peacefully at his home, Drumclay House, Enniskillen, yesterday morning, Thursday, October 4, aged 76 years. A well-known and popular figure in the community, who became one of Fermanagh's adopted sons, he was originally from York. He went to York College of Art where he met his wife Tony and they lived in Leeds before moving to the county in 1963 with their daughter Rachael. Their other three children, Matthew, Katy and Jason were born in Fermanagh.
Gordon took up a position as an art teacher at the Collegiate Grammar School, Enniskillen where he remained until taking retirement at the age of 55 to take up professional model making full time. His models are not only housed in Fermanagh County Museum, Enniskillen, but his widely appreciated work is in museums in Ireland, the UK and the US. He also took an interest in the Mummers' tradition and his work is exhibited in Aughakillymaude Mummers' Centre, near Derrylin.
For Gordon, Fermanagh was his dream place; he was a keen fisherman and could not imagine being anywhere else. He earned the right to call himself a Fermanagh man and knew every nook and cranny of the county; he loved the people and he was very much into the environment.
An intrepid traveller, he travelled worldwide with his wife Toni and he wrote Travellers' Tales for the Impartial Reporter for many years.
The much-loved husband, father, and grandfather to Natasha, Aoife, and Sean Gordon, is also survived by his brother, Michael.
Friends are welcome at an open house at Gordon's Drumclay Road home on Sunday and family only on Sunday night. Family flowers only, and donations in lieu if desired are to Horizon West Children's Hospice. The funeral arrangements are by W.T. Morrison, Enniskillen.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 05 Oct 12
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