Mr. Samuel James McCormick

MR. Jim McCormick, who died in a road traffic accident on January 9, was a well known and highly respected member of the Crossgar community.

Mr. McCormick, who was 88 and lived at Westlands, had a great affection for his home town. He knew much about its history and of the many characters who lived in it.

He had a great sense of community pride — he used to wind up the clock in the old Market House daily — and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

His commitment to helping others was perhaps influenced by having spent most of his working life as a nursing assistant in Purdysburn Hospital, which he greatly enjoyed.

His hobbies included gardening and watching football and snooker, but his greatest interest was his family.

Mr. McCormick’s largely attended funeral service in Kilmore Parish Church on January 12 was conducted by the Rev. Steven Smyth and Canon Bell, who also read one of the lessons. The other readers were Mr. Jim Brownlee and Councillor Terry Andrews.

Mr. McCormick is survived by his wife, Mamie, daughters Ivy, Eleanor, Yvonne and Lesley, and sons Maurice, Mervyn and Christopher.