Mr Jackie Graham

MR John (Jackie) Graham, who died on May 12, aged 79, was a popular and well known man who had lived in Downpatrick for the last 45 years.

Jackie was born in Belfast on October 21, 1937, the eldest of three brothers. He worked an a HGV driver for Richardsons and Nestle.

In 1972 Jackie, his wife, Anne, and their three children moved from Belfast to Downpatrick — a place he had happy memories of as a child during his school summer holidays.

He was very fond of taking photographs when he was out and about. He had a great love of music and had a wide and varied selection of artists in his collection. He was fascinated by technology and had a keen interest in the latest gadgets.

He enjoyed many a round of golf at Bright Castle Golf Club and in later years, when he realised he was never going to be another Tiger Woods, he decided to hang up his clubs and follow his favourite players as a spectator at the occasional golf ‘major’ and from the comfort of his living room.

Jackie was very much involved with the Church, particularly at St Colmcille’s, where he was sacristan, a role that he relished, enjoyed and took great pride in.

Jackie was a great family man and was always there for his children. He was a wonderful husband to his late wife and a loving father to his sons, John, Tony and Peter, and his daughters, Roisin, Alison, Patricia and the late Maria.

He was a much loved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, who will be sorely missed. He is also survived by his brothers, Teddy and Tom.