The family of the late former Enniskillen school teacher Frank Rogers have paid tribute to the “kind, gentle and nurturing” family man who was an inspiration to many.

Frank (84), late of Ballycastle, formerly Fermanagh, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, June 7 following a short illness.

A real gentleman

Paying tribute to Frank, a spokesperson on behalf of the family described him as “a real gentleman” who was “very loving” and “very giving of his time to others”.

“We remember dad with gratitude, love, and kindness. He was a man of many interests and achievements, but first and foremost we remember him as a loving husband, father, uncle, brother, cousin, friend and family member.

“Over the last 20 years he took great pleasure in spending time with his grandchildren, who he adored,” said the family spokesperson, adding: “While dad’s considerable drive and ambition enabled him to achieve so much, his family values of love, respect and kindness burnish our most treasured memories.

“He took the time to care and provide for us, and always retained a sense of fun and laughter.”

Meeting Kathleen

Key to all of this was meeting his wife Kathleen. The couple enjoyed a happy courtship in Glenavy and Belfast before getting married in 1965.

“They were together for 61 years and their marriage and devotion to each other was exemplary,” said the family spokesperson.

Together, Frank and Kathleen raised five children; Janet, Sheila, Eileen, John and David and over the last 20 years, Frank took great delight in his grandchildren; Katy, Chloe, Helen, Stephen, Luca, Joshua, Poppy, Phoebe, Matthew, Jude and Danny.

Although he had been living in Co. Antrim for the last number of years, Frank was always proud to be from Fermanagh.

Born to Terence and Catherine Rogers, Frank grew up on a small farm outside Belleek called Gortnalee and along with his siblings Bridie, Kathleen, Denis, John and Eddie, he had a happy family upbringing on the family farm.

 

The late Frank Rogers.

The late Frank Rogers.

 

Lisnaskea

In the 1950s, the family moved to Lisnaskea. It is there that Frank would have learned the values of family, faith and farming.

“This sense or rootedness in a place, a family and culture was to stay with Frank his whole life,” said the family spokesperson.

Mount Lourdes

The majority of his life, Frank worked as a teacher. He taught as a PE teacher in St. Aidan’s, Glenavy for 20 years before becoming a history teacher in Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Enniskillen in 1981, where he worked until his retirement in 1999.

“He loved this role,” said the family spokesperson of Frank’s teaching position at Mount Lourdes.

Following his death, many of Frank’s former pupils paid tribute on social media describing him as a “brilliant” and “inspirational” teacher, noting how he always had a smile on his face and was so clever yet so modest.

“It was really comforting to read all those messages,” said the family spokesperson.

Throughout his life, Frank was an explorer and an adventurer.

In 2013, along with his son John, he walked the Inca trail to Machu Pichu. He also previously walked the Yukon trail in Alaska with his brother Denis and walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain several times, most notably doing the entire journey as a pilgrim in his 70s with his wife Kathleen.

Gifted speaker

Frank was also known for his work as a historian, a prolific writer, a gifted speaker and a great communicator.

During his life, he wrote seven books on various themes including two focusing on Fermanagh churches titled ‘History of Holy Cross Church, Lisnaskea’ and ‘Convent Chapel, Enniskillen’.

As a local historian, Frank knew the importance of preserving memory through his writings.

“He treasured and respected both Nationalist and Unionist histories, and carefully promoted cross community thinking and dialogue in his writings and talks,” said the family spokesperson.

Among his many skills and interests, Frank was a keen sportsman.

As a PE teacher in Glenavy, he was involved with Glenavy GAA, as a player and a coach – winning the 1984 Antrim Intermediate Championship.

 

The late Frank Rogers.

The late Frank Rogers.

 

After retiring to Ballycastle, he enjoyed playing golf, running, playing tennis and doing coastal walks with Kathleen, family members and friends. He followed the journey of St. Molaise around Ireland and canoed in lakes in every county in Ireland.

Arranged by P J Dallat and Sons Funeral Directors, Frank’s funeral took place on Sunday, June 12 at St. Joseph’s Church, Glenavy with a Requiem Mass followed by a private family burial.

“The best parts of dad abide with us, now and forever; a cultivated and cultivating presence in the rosy gardens of our memory,” said the family spokesperson.