Popular clergyman Canon Alfred Stanley O’Connor, who lived and served in Fermanagh for many years, passed away peacefully at his Stewartstown home last Monday, January 12, 2015, aged 94.

A gifted preacher during many years as an ordained minister in the Church of Ireland, he had been an enthusiastic and successful pedigree cattle breeder exhibiting prize Herefords and ponies at shows.

He had also been a gifted sportsman and played rugby for Malone and Ulster, as well as turning out for the Ireland rugby team for a season (as a substitute).

Alfie, as he was best known was born in Ventry, Co. Kerry, the sixth of seven children; the last of his generation of O’Connors, he grew up on a mixed farm with dairy, beef, sheep and horses. He attended National School in Ventry, followed by Kilkenny College, where he became a Prefect and played hockey for Leinster Schools, before going to Mountjoy College, from where he won a scholarship in Irish, enabling him to study at Trinity College, Dublin. Excelling as a scholar and a sportsman at Trinity, he was awarded a Double Pink in rugby and field athletics, and was also made a Knight of the Campanile.

He was ordained as a curate for the Church of Ireland and from 1943 to 1946, he served his first curacy in St. Michael’s Parish Church, Shankill Road, Belfast; he played rugby for Malone and Ulster with the great Jack Kyle.

His next curacy was spent in Cavan Parish, 1946 to 1949, after which was appointed Rector of St. John’s Parish, Florencecourt, moving within the same Diocese of Kilmore. It was his first contact with the people of Fermanagh and although he stayed just five years, he returned later. It was during the O’Connors incumbency in Florencecourt that their only child, Susan, was born. From 1954 to 1962, he served as Rector at St. Cronin’s, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary, and then from 1962 to 1965 at Christ Church Bessbrook, Co. Armagh. His final parish was St. Anne’s Drumglass, where he spent 20 years as Rector (1965 to 1985).

Alfie decided to retire from full time ministry at the age of 65; he came to reside at Brookeborough and he made a profound contribution to the Clogher Diocese, where he conducted services in vacant parishes.

Alfie continued his farming and show exhibiting during the week, while on Sundays he and Eileen (formerly Ebbitt) would set out to take the main service of the day in some part of the Diocese.

In his 11 years living in Fermanagh, Alfie covered 13 vacant parishes throughout the Clogher Diocese. Wherever they went Alfie and Eileen always received a warm welcome.

From his time spent in Dungannon, Alfie kept show ponies and his tack room at his bungalow at Brookeborough had been a treasure chest of saddlery, rosettes and photo)graphs of past champions.

Alfie bred and exhibited show champions at the highest level at Dublin and Balmoral as well as country shows.

He joined Fermanagh Farming Society and he was elected Chairman of its Horse Show Committee.

Alfie built up a highly successful pedigree Hereford herd and he achieved a lot of recognition, winning Championships at many shows. He served as President of the Hereford Association. His daughter Susan was a competitive horsewoman at shows and he shared her interest. Although he would have ridden bareback to National School as a child, he did not take up horse-riding.

He kept ponies and he showed the Young Stock in hand at Balmoral Show, winning six times, which could well be a record.

In 1996, he left Fermanagh - where he had found a place in the hearts of many people - and he went to live in retirement at Stewartstown. His interests included watching a lot of sport on television and he was a great Manchester United supporter.

He took a keen interest in Ulster Rugby and its successes, having himself played three full seasons with Ulster.

He loved retaining his links with Fermanagh and he was a man who loved people throughout his life. He loved catching up with people and he was very sharp with names and where he had met people.

A Service of Thanksgiving for the life and work of Canon Alfred O’Connor, who had an M.A. (Master of Arts), was held last Wednesday, January 14, 2015, at St. Patrick’s Church, Donaghendry. It was conducted by the Rev. Andrew Rawding. Burial was in the adjoining churchyard.

Canon O’Connor is survived by his daughter Susan, her husband Ramsey Stewart, and his four grandchildren: Catherine and husband Pete; Henry; granddaughter Louise and husband Ben; and Kerry. He also leaves a great granddaughter Lydia. He was predeceased by his wife Eileen in 2011.