There has been widespread sadness following the death of William Robert ‘Brian’ Breen who passed away suddenly at his home at Gardiners Cross Road, Maguiresbridge on the night of December 23, 2021, shortly before Christmas Eve.

Brian died aged 79, having just recently celebrated that birthday at the beginning of December.

He was born on December 3, 1942, eldest son to William and Mona Breen, Cornafanog. He was the younger brother to Lil (Tommy Armstrong) and the late Vera Saunderson, who passed away in June, 1990, and older brother to Trevor Breen, Cornafanog.

Brian grew up on the family farm, taking a keen interest in farming – something he had a great knowledge about. He left Lisbellaw School in 1956 and continued to work on the farm for many years.

He met and married Georgina Woods, Aughnaskew, Maguiresbridge. Their wedding was held at Christ Church in the village on April 19, 1967.

After their marriage, they set up home near the family farm at his beloved Rose Cottage in the townland of Giltagh.

Later in 1967, he secured a job with the Department of Agriculture (Rivers Agency) and farmed in the evenings. Brian worked for the Civil Service for many years, driving some impressive machinery, including a dragline, maintaining the loughs and waterways and constructing jetties, many of which are seen around Fermanagh today.

He was a very musical man, playing the tin whistle along with other local musicians and was a member of Cornafanog Flute Band for many years, and L.O.L. 1333.

Brian and Georgina were blessed with three sons: Ivan, Alan and Rodney, and one daughter, Lorraine.

He was a devoted father to his children and a dear grandfather to his eight grandchildren: Hannah, Shay, Finn, Freddie, Phoebe, Saul, Esme and Seth.

His wife, children and grandchildren, as well as the extended family, will miss him immensely.

His funeral service was held in Lisbellaw Methodist Church on December 27, 2021, conducted by John McConnell.

Funeral arrangements were carried out with exceptional attention to detail by Marcus Madill, S. R. Elliott Funeral Directors.