THE sister-in-law of Patrick Garrity, the Dromore man who died tragically after falling from a ladder last week, has described him as a “community man” who was “many things to many people”.

A window cleaner by trade, 53-year-old Mr. Garrity was a much-loved member of the Dromore community.

He had been working on the outside of a house on the Long Hill Road of town last Wednesday when he fell from a ladder.

His Funeral Mass, officiated by Parish Priest, the Very Rev. Patrick MacEntee, took place at St. Davog’s Church on Saturday.

Mr. Garrity’s untimely death was met with widespread shock and sadness from both young and old in the community.

“I have no idea how we will manage without him,” his sister-in-law confessed, “And I don’t know how anyone will ever fill his shoes.

“He meant so much to the older members of the community. “When he came around he made their day. “He likes Camomile tea. And he would always have had it with him when he was working.

“But a lot of people would have had the Camomile tea in their home just for him when he came round and the tea would be sitting waiting for him.” Paying tribute to her highly regarded brother-in-law, Mrs. Garrity said he was so much more than just a window cleaner.

“He provided that social aspect for people too. He was many things to many people. ‘Window cleaner’ was only the official title -- there was a lot more beside.” On Saturday Fr. MacEntee told mourners Mr. Garrity’s “generosity, love and attentiveness” would remain a precious legacy in the years ahead, not only to his family, but the many members of the community to whom he was so attentive as well.

He described Mr. Garrity as a person who was “uncomplicated and undemanding of life” and who held the old-fashioned views of chivalry and gentlemanliness.

“In his 53 years he had become well-known to all sections of the community in Dromore -- town and country, Protestant and Catholic, old and young,” said Fr. MacEntee, “His job brought him into contact with many people.” He described Mr. Garrity as both “friendly and private” and “quiet spoken and gentle” and a man who was “always willing to take a cup of tea in any house”.

“As a man of 53, he could have reasonably expected 30 more years of life, but it was not to be,” he said, “None of us could have foreseen this.” Mr. Garrity is survived by his three brothers, John, Joseph and Martin Garrity.