Mr. George McCann

THE recent death in Ward 1, Downe Hospital, of Mr. George Thomas McCann, of 2 Donard View, Ballee Road, Downpatrick, has been widely mourned. He was 71.
Before his body was taken over by illness, Mr. McCann was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
Quiet in nature, he worked for 40 years in Downshire Hospital where he was a dedicated and caring nurse, and also made many good friends, who were faithful to him to the end.
He was also a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ who could put his hands to anything. He loved working outdoors and when he retired he spent many happy days as a greenkeeper at Bright Castle Golf Club, which he loved. A devoted family man, he also enjoyed gardening and golf.
Unfortunately, Mr. McCann developed Lewy Bodies — a form of dementia associated with Parkinson’s. He spent time in the Dementia unit at Downe Hospital and also a short period at Greenvale Nursing Home. The last week of his life was spent in Ward 1 of Downe Hospital.
Canon C. Wilson conducted the funeral service in Ballee Parish Church on Thursday, August 1, during which a tribute was made by one of Mr. McCann’s former colleagues, who described him as “one of life’s true gentlemen.”
Mr. McCann is survived by his wife, Ann, daughters Lynda and Sandra, sons-in-law Arnold and Ruairi, grandchildren Lucy and Katie, brother Campbell and sister-in-law Lorna.