The death has taken place of “gentleman” Herbie Follis, the well known and popular pharmacist from Enniskillen. Mr. Follis died at South West Acute Hospital on Sunday, February 23 with his funeral taking place on Tuesday, February 26 at St. Macartin’s Cathedral This was followed by a private cremation.

Remembering Mr. Follis the Very Rev Kenneth Hall told about 450 mourners that people “flocked to him from far and near for advice”, adding: “He will be remembered by many for the care he provided in curing people in their hour of need and by the farmers for the extensive knowledge in curing animals.”

He will also be remembered by his family to whom he was devoted. Mr. Follis was married to wife Jean for 43 years and a dear step father to Willie and father in law to Deborah. His granddaughters, Ali, Jodie and Rhiannan were a constant source of joy for Herbie and he loved nothing more than spending time with them in Florida and to see his granddaughters having fun.

A lover of travel he also enjoyed wild duck shooting and clay pigeon. An avid whist player he and Jean were the winners of many bottles of wine and chocolates that were often passed on to Willie and the granddaughters.

Mr. Follis, a member of Ennisillen Rotary Club, was one of the best-known faces in Enniskillen although he was born in Teemore in 1936, the first child of Oscar and Lily. He went to Portora school and later to Belfast technical College where he studied Pharmacy. He worked in W.J Maxwell’s Chemist in Belmore Street before spending time in England and Belfast. Mr. Follis returned to take over Maxwell’s Chemist, which later changed to Follis’, where he stayed until 1999, when he sold the business.

As Dean Hall explained he did not however hang up his dispensing notepad and was working until recently as a locum with Hughes Pharmacy in Newtownbutler becoming much loved by the community there.

Paul Hughes, of Hughes Pharmacy spoke not only of a professional colleague but also of a personal friend:

“On behalf of all the staff of Hughes Pharmacy Enniskillen and Newtownbutler I would like to express my deepest sympathy at the recent sad passing. He was a true gentleman and a brilliant pharmacist and will be dearly missed by us all. Our deepest condolences go to his beloved wife Jean, stepson William, William’s wife Deborah and daughters Jodie Ali and Rhiannan. Also his brother Harold and sister Slyvia. Herbie was a professional colleague and a personal friend, may he rest in peace.”

In his sermon Dean Hall said that he had heard some say that Mr. Follis had “saved many people but couldn’t save himself.” But he questioned whether this was true and asked did “Death win Herbie’s life?”.

Dean Hall looked to the words of another old Portoran Henry Francis Lyte who wrote the hymn “Abide with me”. “I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.”

And in the words of that hymn Dean Hall said: “So for Herbie the illness didn’t win – he won. Won victory in heaven where he awaits you and me to join him.”