AIDAN Faloona lived all of his life in Portaferry until his passing on January 21 and was an integral part of the tight-knit community.
Born in 1944, he grew up at the ‘Shore’ with his parents, Hugh and Annie, and siblings Edward (RIP), Mary, twins Sean and Paddy and his sister Maureen, who died in infancy.
He attended secondary school in St. Patrick’s, Downpatrick, and in 1966 joined the former Ulsterbus, working in Oxford Street Bus Station.
Beginning as a clerk, he subsequently held positions as chief clerk, internal auditor and district manager in Europa Bus Centre and Newry Bus Centre.
In 2006, he was delighted to be awarded an MBE for services to public transport, especially during the difficult times of the Troubles. Aidan made many lifelong friends on his journey through Ulsterbus/Translink, with whom he kept in touch during his retirement, meeting up for frequent lunches to keep up with all the ‘craic’.
Aidan married his wife, Bernie (née McFall), a nurse who hailed from Ballycastle in 1969, and they went on to have five children, all of whom brought him great pride and enjoyment.
Aidan was also a passionate Gael and played hurling for his club, Portaferry, and at county and provincial levels, winning an All-Ireland Junior Championship medal with Down in 1964.
As with Ulsterbus/-Translink, Aidan had a long association with the Credit Union in Portaferry. He became a member of the Board of Directors in 1976 and performed a number of roles, including chairman, secretary and treasurer during his lifetime of dedicated service.
He was a lively presence and put his knowledge and expertise to good purpose to the benefit of all staff and members. Aidan was also proud to be a lifelong Pioneer and had received the Gold Pin.
Aidan was well known throughout the community and beyond through his job and varied interests and it is his warm personality, humour and egalitarian approach that is fondly remembered, especially by his wife, Bernie, children Lisa, Fiona, Gavin, Maureen and Aidan, grandchildren Ben, Adam, Sean and Grace, and his wide circle of extended family and friends.