Jonathan “Jonny” Gibson was cherished by his two children, Ariane and Jamie, as more than just a father. He was their hero. And his sudden passing from a heart attack on Monday has left a noticeable absence within their family and throughout Fermanagh.

He was known to many throughout the community for his humour and sarcasm, through his working life with dogs and for a successful sporting career.

But to Ariane and Jamie, he was their beloved dad, and to his beloved wife Daphne, a cherished husband.

Speaking to this newspaper yesterday (Wednesday), Jamie said: “For me, he was a teacher, a coach for my entire life, he was my pure idol, our hero”.

“He was incredibly selfless, he would put his entire life on hold if it meant that someone else would be better off from it, I am going to miss that about him.

Ariane said: “He was very supportive, caring and he always knew what to say.”

Remembering her father, who was the life of the party: “He was good craic, he always kept the party going, he made a lot of jokes, he never took life too seriously.

Jamie added: “His funeral will be a testament to that.”

Mr. Gibson died following a heart attack after a recent cancer diagnosis, he was due to meet with an Oncologist earlier this week but died on Monday, April 29, in the South West Acute Hospital.

A son to the late Albert and Vera Gibson, he grew up in Letterbreen along with his siblings: Robert and Rosemary.

Mr. Gibson met his wife, Daphne (née Fiddis) at the Valley Hotel at a dance, the pair married in 1991 and welcomed Arianne and Jamie to their family.

Mr. Gibson spent his working career with the police service working as a dog handler and trainer for both the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Upon his retirement, he worked for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council lately as an Animal Welfare Officer and previously as a Dog Warden.

Ariane said: “He was a massive animal lover, dogs especially, going from being a dog trainer and a dog handler to then to the dog warden and welfare.”

Mr. Gibson was a stalwart of Enniskillen Rugby Football Club and was a previous captain of the club.

Jamie explained that his father played for Junior Ulster and played for Dungannon Rugby Football Club at an All-Ireland level.

Jamie added: “He played a lot of golf at Castle Hume and Lough Erne and he was a founding member of Portora Boat Club [masters club] and he was a British Masters Champion with the club.

Tributes from right across Fermanagh were posted on social media at the news of Mr. Gibson’s passing.

A social media post on Enniskillen RFC said that they were “devastated” to hear of Mr. Gibson’s passing.

It said: “Outpourings of fond memories and sincere expressions of admiration for Jonny have since been expressed throughout the club, both as a true gentleman and a person who contributed immense value to the club over the years.

“Johnny was part of the last Enniskillen team to win the league back in 1987 and went on to captain the club in the nineties. He also coached the club, and Portora Royal, at many levels, including senior men’s. Johnny also spent time as a highly regarded rugby referee.”

A social media post from Enniskillen Royal Grammar School Rugby also paid tribute to Mr. Gibson.

It said: “A 1st XV player at school in the early 80s, Jonny further helped the rugby club in school as a valued member of the Parent Support Group for many years as well as volunteering his time to coach. A true gentleman.”

Others to pay tribute to Mr. Gibson included Bright Eyes Animal Sanctuary who posted on social media and said: “He was an absolute gentleman and showed such empathy towards animals.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone and for the great work he did in helping animals in need.”

Mr. Gibson’s funeral will take place at Ballycassidy House Funeral Home on Friday, May 3 at 11am and will be followed by a private cremation.

Funeral arrangements are being carried out by Mr. Keith Elliott, W.T. Morrison Funeral Directors.