The heartbroken family of the late John Woods who died tragically on Friday following a collision with a lorry in Lisnaskea has paid tribute to a man with a “big heart but a quiet presence”.

In a statement released by the family this week, the Woods family paid tribute to their “gentleman” father.

They said: “Daddy will always be remembered for his big heart, but quiet presence. Though the words would rarely cross his lips, his love for mum (Breege) and the rest of the family would always show through in smallest little gestures, that spoke a thousand words.”

John was a devoted father to his eleven children: Yvonne, Martin, Elaine, Brian, Donna, Shauna, John, Claire, Lorna, and was predeceased by his sons Oliver and Ciaran.

Paying tribute, the family described him as: “Working so hard over the years to provide for the 11 of us and mum, he provided all we ever needed.

“To the most recent times providing lifts and the often banned sweets to his loved grandkids.”

Acknowledging the widespread support from the community following John’s death, they said: “The family is incredibly touched by how many people have commented online about what a gentleman he was.

“A gentle soul who had time for everyone in life, even beyond the two tragic occasions where his heart was broken, he always lived up to this value.”

The family concluded: “As his big heart leaves us and his quiet presence becomes just silence, we will all miss him so much. We just hope he is now in the welcoming arms of his sons Ciaran and Oliver.”

Such is John’s popularity that many sports clubs offered their support to the Woods family following his death, tributes were posted online from Fermanagh Ladies GFA, Lisnaskea Emmets GFC, Newtownbutler First Fermanagh GFC, St. Mary’s Maguiresbridge GFC, St. Patrick’s GFC, Donagh and Lisnaskea Rovers.

The PSNI confirmed Mr. Woods death on Saturday morning and said: “Police can confirm that a man has died following a road traffic collision involving a lorry and a pedestrian in Lisnaskea yesterday evening (March 4).

Sergeant Green said: “Officers, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, received and responded to a report of a collision in the Main Street area shortly after 7:50pm.

“The collision occurred on Water Street, close to the junction with Main Street. The roads remained closed for some time but have now reopened.

“Our enquiries are continuing and the Collision Investigation Unit is appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the collision or who has dash-cam footage or any other information to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1639 of 04/03/22.”

Mr. Woods funeral will take place today (Thursday) in Lisnaskea. His funeral will take place at 11am at Holy Cross Church, Lisnaskea and he will be buried afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Funeral arrangements were carried out by Swift and McCaffrey Funeral Directors.