Mr. Paul Terence Andrews

THE death has taken place of one of Crossgar’s most highly respected citizens.

Mr. Paul Terence Andrews, who would have celebrated his 76th birthday this September, passed away at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald on February 14.

He was born in Shrigley on September 11, 1936, at the home of his parents, Herbert and May, before the family moved to Seaview in Killyleagh.

With his father a Regimental Sergeant Major with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Mr. Andrews moved with his parents and brother Sammy to Catterick army camp in Yorkshire. Less than 24 hours before his father was due to set sail for India and with the imminent outbreak of World War Two, orders came though that the sailing was cancelled and May, Paul and Sammy returning to Killyleagh.

Mr. Andrews was educated at St. Mary’s Primary School and during his final year there helped teach younger students basic maths and spellings.

He began work at an office in Belfast and after a short period of time secured a job as an apprentice painter at Killyleagh Mill where he met his wife, Mary Dempster from Crossgar. They eventually got married and for the next 54 years Crossgar was home for the happy couple and their seven children, Steven, Eamonn, Sammy, Julie, Terry, Mary Jo and Michel.

As a painter and decorator, Mr. Andrews was kept busy painting and papering houses. In the late 1960s he worked at Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church on the Ravenhill Road in Belfast where he was introduced to Dr. Ian Paisley who was checking progress on the building as it was being completed.

Mr. Andrews worked for Christies in Belfast and travelled across the city and also painted a number of houses in the East Down area.

From an early age, Mr. Andrews was regarded as a brilliant swimmer and with his brothers enjoyed swimming in Strangford Lough. On one occasion, he saved the life of a friend, who took cramp while in the water.

A keen wildfowler, he enjoyed shooting and was secretary of the Killyleagh Wildfowlers’ Association. He met Prince Philip during a visit to the area in the 1960s.

Mr. Andrews enjoyed painting landscapes, birds and historical buildings and could have turned his hand to anything.

Mr. Andrews spent time working with Enterprise Ulster tidying up an old graveyard at at the Church Road in Kilmore, but poor health forced him to give up his job. He and wife Mary bought a caravan and during the summer months would head to Ballycastle. It was something they did regularly until Mrs. Andrews passed away in 1992.

A keen fisherman, Mr. Andrews was often seen at the Quoile River in Downpatrick enjoying the company of his fellow anglers. He also owned a boat which he named Suki Yaki2. His father’s boat had been named Suki Yaki.

Mr. Andrews launched his boat at Killyleagh where he spent many happy hours sailing and fishing on Strangford Lough. When he wasn’t on the water, he was at his home in Westlands and enjoying his garden.

He also enjoyed watching television and had a particular interest in news programmes and period dramas.

While his health deteriorated in recent years, one of his happiest moments was the election of his son Terry to Down Council as an Independent councillor.

In February, he was admitted to the Ulster Hospital and passed away on St. Valentine’s Night. His funeral service held at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church in Killyleagh on the 20th anniversary of the death of his wife.

Mr. Andrews is survived by his sons Steven, Eamonn, Sammy, Terry, Michel, daughters Julie and Mary Joe, grandchildren, brothers Bertie and Philip, and sister Marie.