THERE has been widespread sadness following the passing of one of the stalwarts of education in County Fermanagh.

The late James (Jim) Kerr died peacefully (non Covid-related) in the early hours on Monday morning.

He will be remembered across the county for his many years of dedication as a schoolteacher, teaching principal and headmaster of various schools across Fermanagh.

Daughter Helen led tributes to her late father, referring to him as her "best friend".

She said: “I think the one thing that is the [abiding] memory of my dad is the time I had with him, and that’s the bit that makes me well up now, because I will never have that time again.

"I have memories; I could talk about him for the next 10 years, and I still could never tell you everything I know.

"There’s not a day in my life that I didn’t speak to him – if I wasn’t here, I was on the phone. The thing I’ll miss most is [seeing] 'Mum and Dad' on my [phone] caller ID,” she said.

Speaking for the family, she added: “When my dad was born, he was born exceptional, and he passed away with a peaceful, dignified passing, and Heaven is a richer place for him.”

Jim was born in Culkey, Enniskillen, the eldest of four sons to Hugh and Caroline Kerr. After graduating from Stranmills University College, Jim began his teaching career in Enniskillen High School in 1957, where he taught Rural Sciences.

He had quite an impact on the current site, explained Helen. She said: “Anybody who knows the high school and the hedging and all the tree planting around it, daddy planted all of that! He got the nickname from the children, of ‘the bush man’.

“Throughout his career, he worked as a teaching principal in Lack Primary School, a teaching principal in Ballinamallard, and Headmaster of Jones Memorial Primary School, where he himself went to primary school,” she added.

He married his wife, Dorothy, on July 14, 1958, with the pair celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in 2018.

The pair had two children, Andrew and Helen, and Jim had one granddaughter, Alexandra. His wife has been unwell for a few years, and Jim had devotedly cared for her.

Helen said: “He had cared selflessly for our mother; he had total care for her, and devotion to her.”

Jim was a charitable man and was involved in fundraising for many charities, including Ulster Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, and many church-related charities.

He was also active in coaching rugby, and played badminton competitively for the cathedral team until his early 50s.

Family members added: “Church was a big part of his life; he was a lay preacher in the Church of Ireland, and he was a member of the select vestry for well over 40 years. He was head of the St. Macarten’s Sunday School."

Before his death, Jim took great comfort in reciting and reading Psalm 121.

Looking back fondly at memories, his family recalled they all enjoyed watching Jim’s favourite sport, rugby, together and supporting his favourite team, Ulster.

Jim loved to travel and dreamed of travelling on the Glacier Express in Switzerland.

Following his retirement, he travelled to Switzerland with daughter Helen. The pair enjoyed walking the mountains, seeing the Swiss cows and visiting Geneva, the birthplace of Martin Luther.

Looking back at his legacy, Helen said: “He taught my brother and myself to always ask questions, to want to know information, and never to give up on learning and to never be scared to try, because actually in trying, even if you didn't succeed, you will always learn something.”

The late Jim Kerr died on March 1. He was buried yesterday (Wednesday, March 3) in Cross Cemetery, following his funeral service in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, where he was fondly remembered and mourned by his loving wife, children and extended family members and friends.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Austen Stinson, W. T. Morrison Funeral Directors.