A well-known and familiar stalwart of the community in Enniskillen has passed away following a brave battle with cancer.

Eugene Kelly (86) accompanied by one of his guide dogs was a familiar sight to many people in the town and there was much sadness when the popular 86 year old was buried on Monday (January 8) after losing a brave battle with cancer.

Paying tribute to “the best father and best friend a lad could have”, Eugene’s son Bernard spoke of his beloved father’s popularity by simply saying, “he knew everyone.”

Born on Queen Street on September 21, 1934 he was the youngest of eight children. Bernard said: “He was educated at the Brother’s School in Enniskillen before transferring to a specialist school in Glasgow for his sight condition (malignant myopia), with the condition leading to the deterioration of his eyesight.

On returning from Scotland, he worked in various roles in the Scotch stores. At one time he was responsible for blowing the scotch door whistle. He had also served as a co-ordinator with the Rotary Club and worked as a caretaker in St Fanchea’s College.

Eugene was known to many throughout the town due to his guide dogs, he had a variety throughout the years including his most recent dog, Hector who will now retire with Eugene’s family. They had been part of Eugene and his family’s life from the mid-1970s.

Bernard commented: “He had many great friends and loved a yarn.”

Eugene married his wife Agnes (nee Smyth) in June 1959, the pair had met at choir rehearsal in St. Michael’s Parish where they were both active members. They went on to raise three children. Bernard added: “He always said the driving force was my mother. Not only was she his best friend, but she was the love of his life. His strength was her strength. It broke his heart when mum passed.”

Eugene was involved in many aspects of community life in Enniskillen. He collected money for the St Michael’s Parish school building fund, Irish language groups and for the St. Anthony pools (mission work). He was part of the founding team behind the Fermanagh Talking Newspaper. He had received a BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1995 for his services to the community due to his role in Fermanagh Talking Newspaper.

Bernard described his father as a “great advocate” and remembered how his father was trusted by people. He said: “People came to him when he was studying to look for help with disability payments, and that sort of thing, he was a great advocate for some people. But, we didn’t know who they were or when he met them because that was their private business not ours.”

He studied for O-Levels at Fermanagh College and an undergraduate degree. He had began his work for his Masters but stopped studying in order to undertake a new Action for Community Employment (ACE) scheme in Enniskillen.

Bernard said: “Under his management the scheme grew from 10 to almost 100 people. He mentored people who had been in long term unemployment and never seen work or hadn’t been able to get work or experience work.”

Eugene dabbled in the political life as his son explained: “He had affinity for the political life and once ran for council seat on the SDLP ticket in the early 70s.

“He never had any time for violence. He didn’t have any time for either set of bigotry, or intolerance. He firmly believed that we were all in the one house and all going to the one place.”

Bernard spoke of a man with “a great personal faith who put all of his trust in the Sacred Heart.”

He continued and said: “He was a lifelong pioneer. He wore his pioneer pin with pride that didn’t matter where he was, whether it was in Hillsborough castle or up the town.”

Bernard paid tribute to his brother Dominic who was his parents’ primary carer and said: “He was their rock.”

Eugene Kelly passed away peacefully on February 6. He was predeceased by his wife Agnes and is survived by his three loving children and two grandchildren.

His funeral service took place at St Michael’s Church Enniskillen and funeral arrangements were carried out by Cadden Funeral Directors.