A devoted dad and a loving husband was remembered this week following his sudden passing on Sunday.

Colin McKenzie (64), late of Silverhill Manor, was remembered with great love by his wife, Orla (née McKeown).

Speaking to this newspaper, Orla remembered her husband as “a storyteller, entertainer, and a man who would do anything for anyone”.

Born in Stirling on May 13, 1958, Colin started off from very humble beginnings as an apprentice engineer and then began his working career with Scottish Power, where he started learning and worked through the ranks of the company.

His work took him all around the world, Orla explained: “He was a very knowledgeable man; he had a lot of intellect. He worked in Saudi Arabia, Canada, Malta, Germany and France, and all over the world

“After Chernobyl [the 1986 disaster], he went out to the site with Scottish Power and stayed for six weeks, and helped build an orphanage. They had brought out relief and stayed out there with all of the kids for the six weeks.”

Colin arrived in Enniskillen 17 years ago, only due to stay for a few weeks to work on a project at Balcas, but after meeting Orla and falling in love, his plans changed.

She said: “He was only supposed to be here for six to eight weeks to help get the power station up and running at Balcas, and he was due to move to the [Scottish] Highlands, to build the other power station, but then we got together and took up a job in Balcas.”

One of the pictures shared with this newspaper by Colin’s family is a picture of Colin in discussion with now King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, at Balcas in 2007, with the pair spending half an hour in discussion on that occasion.

Colin split his working life between Scotland and Fermanagh after he met Orla, she said.

“He would have later travelled over to Inverness for work but he would come back over to Enniskillen every weekend, and we had [our daughter] Charlotte in December, 2008, and she was the best thing that ever happened to us.

“We lived in the Highlands, the three of us, for two years out there with Colin at the power station. We got married in 2010 in Scotland, and after two years we decided we wanted to go home, so Colin retired when he was 50 and he looked after the home and supported me in my business.”

Remembering Colin as a completely devoted father to his daughter, Orla said: “He was totally devoted to Charlotte – completely and totally devoted to her; they just loved being with each other.”

Colin enjoyed life; he loved sitting in the sun, entertaining his neighbours and the outdoors, especially anything to do with boats or animals.

Detailing some of Colin’s interests, Orla said: “He loved life – he was very good to all of his friends, he would have done anything for anybody.

“In his retirement, he helped out as well a wee bit on the farm and he enjoyed it for a few years. He could turn his hand to anything – he made a cocktail bar for the backyard during the pandemic and he had a car there that he wanted to make into a BBQ.”

Remembering her husband and his zest for life, Orla said: “He was a fantastic entertainer; he could hold a room, and he was a real storyteller and loved singing Frank Sinatra songs. He loved the Scottish tradition too – all of it – his kilt, his haggis and his Scottish whisky.”

Colin died suddenly at home on September 11. Prior to his death, he had fought a long battle with cancer for many years. Orla and Charlotte are grateful for all the support shown to them by family, friends and their neighbours in Silverhill Manor during this difficult time.

Colin’s final journey to Lakelands Funeral Home and Crematorium took place on Thursday.

Funeral arrangements were conducted by Tom McNulty Funeral Director.