Mr Neil Thomason

NEIL Thomason, adored husband of Lesley and father to Sonia, Jilly, Colin and Kate, died peacefully at his Bryansford Grove home in Newcastle on May 21.

Neil was born on April 18, 1939, the eldest of three brothers, including John and Richard, in Solihull, Birmingham. He was educated at St. Peters and Haileybury in Hertfordshire and moved with the family business to Northern Ireland in 1957, founding a very successful weaving and textile company known as Ollard and Westcombe in Downpatrick.

Neil qualified as a chartered accountant in 1963 and, with his brother Richard, took over as managing director in 1972.

Neil loved all sport, either playing or watching, and was a very keen golfer, playing regularly four mornings a week. He marked his calendar a year in advance with all sporting fixtures and all holidays and trips were planned around these dates.

Neil enjoyed great friendships, charity work and fun with the Round Table and was a wonderful host at parties where there were always games and prizes, even on his 75th ‘Train Party’ in Downpatrick.

Retiring at 60, Neil and Lesley travelled all over the world taking hours of video and suitcases of souvenirs which were all enjoyed by family and friends on their return. A second career should have been as a travel agent.

Many thanks to all who cared for Neil, especially Dr Stephen Hyland for his exceptional kindness and professionalism with all the family. Many thanks also to Wallace Shaw, Canon
Ellis and the Mothers’ Union of St John’s for the beautiful funeral.

Throughout his life, Neil was a very caring, wise and unassuming person, much-loved by all who knew him — one of life’s true gentlemen.