MR Frank Galbraith

MR Frank Galbraith, who has died, was born in Belfast on January 30, 1921. He was one of eight children born to Elizabeth (née McAloney) and Francis  Galbraith.

The family left Belfast and settled in Saul. Frank attended St Joseph’s Primary School in Crossgar until the age of 12 when he left school to start labouring. He later moved to England and worked at the building of the Sellafield nuclear plant. 

On his return to Northern Ireland he met his first wife, Emily (née Boyd), and he married, aged just 19, Emily and Frank lived in Killyleagh and had two sons, Patrick and Francis. Sadly Emily passed away aged only 28 following an illness.

Frank joined the United Nations Relief (UNRRA) during World War II and was sent to Germany for a period, spending his time mainly in Berlin, Cologne and Belsen. He was one of the troops involved after the liberation of the Bergen Belsen concentration camp.

He had many experiences and stories to tell of the war. As a result of his time in Germany he spoke fluent German, something which he could still do at the age of 95.

On his return to Belfast, he joined the Fire Brigade and was stationed for many years in Chichester Street.

It was during his time with the Fire Brigade that Frank began boxing. It started  as recreational downtime but very quickly became a passion that even in later years, when he could no longer take part in the ring, he loved to watch. 

Frank moved to the poultry business and it was on his travels as a poultry dealer that he met his second wife, Mary (née Rice). He married Mary in 1953 and moved to Dromara where he lived out the rest of his days. The couple had two daughters, Marie and Margaret.

Frank began to work for McCandless Brothers, fruit wholesalers, for many years. He eventually established and ran his own fruit and vegetable business, which he carried on until he retired in 1991, aged 70.

He had a great zest for life and was very aware of what was happening worldwide. He loved to talk about current affairs and he loved sport. Even in his 96th year he was young 

at heart. He could tell a good story and an even better joke. He was always good craic and game for a laugh.

Frank was never idle and was always working on cars, building walls, making wooden bird houses and growing vegetables in his greenhouse.

In his later years he enjoyed spending time with his nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  At 86 years of age he caused his doctor great disbelief when he suffered a back injury whilst taking a penalty kick during a game of football with two of his grandsons.  

Frank was a man of great determination and strength. He fought his illness bravely from 2005 until he finally lost his battle on January 7, 2017, when he died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. He is sorely missed by his entire family circle.