A retired director of T.P. Topping Ltd, Enniskillen, Crawford Little, a popular and widely-known member of the Fermanagh community, passed away this week.

The 92-year-old, who was a true Enniskillener, had enjoyed excellent health until the last three years, but continued to lead an active lifestyle. His peaceful death occurred at South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen, on Monday, January 9.

Late of Crest Road, Enniskillen, the devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather - whose wife Oonagh Jane died in 2007 - had been an active figure all his life.

In addition to his long time involvement in the business life of the town, he had been a stalwart in many sporting and community organisations.

A retired director of T.P. Topping Ltd, which he managed from 1951, he retired from full-time employment in 1987, but continued to be actively involved in the business up until his passing.

John Crawford Little, always known as Crawford, was born ‘between the bridges’ - above J.T. Little, General Merchants, in Church Street, Enniskillen - his father’s shop. A son of John and Kathryn, he had two older sisters, the late Mrs. Edna Warren and the late Mrs. Betty Harrison.

He was educated at the Model School, followed by Portora Royal School. He volunteered to join the RAF as a flight engineer early in 1940. He served mostly in Coastal Command as a flight engineer on Halifax, Catalina and Sunderland planes.

His final time was spent as an instructor at O.C.U., Operational Conversion Unit, Killadeas, the present home of the Lough Erne Yacht Club.

Shortly after his demobilisation in 1946, he married Oonagh Jane Moffitt, of Ballinamallard, and they set up home in rooms in Cooper Crescent, where their son Peter was born. They became the first occupants, around 1950, of the newly built aluminiums in Windmill Drive, where their daughter Kathryn was born. This was prior to building the family home at Ardnakilla on the edge of Castle Coole estate in 1953.

After the war, he originally ran J. Maguire Ltd garage, agents for Standard cars, which was at Hall’s Lane, Enniskillen. He then moved his business to the Dublin Road site of T.P. Topping Ltd in 1951; at that time they were agents for Austin Rover and Ferguson tractors.

He continued his involvement in the running of the garage as managing director for many years, along with fellow director, George Hurst, who passed away in 2013. The business is carried on by their sons, Ronald Hurst and Peter Little.

Outside work, Crawford pursued many sporting and community interests. Throughout his life, he had been a keen and very skilled rally driver. In fact, he had actually been driving for over 80 years. In the fifties, Crawford was involved in motorsport and successfully competed in motor rallies all over Ireland, including accomplishing several class wins in the Circuit of Ireland.

He had been active in the old Enniskillen and District Motor Club and was involved in organising the Enniskillen 100 motorcycle races in the 30s and 40s.

He enjoyed a lifetime involvement in Enniskillen Rugby Club and played in the forties and fifties. A Past President of E.R.F.C., he loved to travel every Saturday, all over Ulster, to attend games where the ‘Skins’ were playing. In latter years, he was taken to every away match by stalwarts of the rugby club, and he had also enjoyed going to Dublin for International games - an interest he had continued until about two years ago.

Crawford was a lifetime member of Enniskillen Golf Club and he was a Past Captain. During the summer, he had been a regular four ball player, going to Donegal or Sligo every Saturday. In the community, he served as a Borough Councillor for a time, and he was one of the youngest High Sheriffs ever for County Fermanagh in 1961. He was a Justice of the Peace for many years.

For well over 20 years, he was on the Board of Governors of Portora Royal School.

Crawford was Circuit Steward of Enniskillen Methodist Circuit and he served on the Quarterly Board and Finance Committee for most of his life.

Crawford was the last surviving founding member of Enniskillen Rotary Club, which was formed in 1955, and is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. He was a Past President of the Club, 1968/69.

He was a member of the Masonic Order Enniskillen, and a member of the Old Portoran Lodge.

In addition, he had also been involved in numerous other societies and clubs.

Crawford greatly enjoyed his circle of friends and he had a warm personality, which endeared him to people. He was a great raconteur with an extensive repertoire of stories and yarns, which he used to entertain his friends.

His Funeral Service, which will be led by the Rev. Sam McGuffin, will be held today, Thursday, at 2pm, at Darling Street Methodist Church, Enniskillen, followed by private burial. The Removal to the Church took place last night, Wednesday.

Crawford is survived by his son, Peter and wife Melanie, and his daughter Kathryn and husband Ken. He leaves six grandchildren Graham, Warren, Ruth, Andrew, Ben and Gemma; two great-grandsons Christian and Reuben; a great-granddaughter Darcey; the wider family circle and his many friends.

The Funeral Directors are S.R. Elliott and Sons, Darling Street, Enniskillen.