07/06/2007
Former owner of the Belmore Court Motel, Raymond McCartney, passed away on the evening of Wednsday 11 April 2007 in the Mater Hospital Dublin.
The death took place peacefully in Dublin's Mater Hospital on Wednesday of last week of one of Fermanagh's best-known tourist trade providers, Raymond McCartney who lived with his wife, Caroline at Lakeview Park, Enniskillen. He was the father of Jayne (Gordon)and Terry (Mary) , grandfather of five, and brother to Patricia (Pat) McLeer, Bangor and Maureen Loane, Kesh. His grandchildren are - Chris, Meagan, Rosie, Lewis and Ellie.
He was 69 and had enjoyed excellent health until 10 years ago when he developed a lung condition, although he was able to lead an active life until January, 2006. He was being considered for a lung transplant, but his health suddenly disimproved around Easter time.
But, he will be remembered for the amazing amount of achievements he packed into his relatively short life. Hotel and licensed premises development topped his business exploits, but there was also the incredible amount of fund-raising he secured through helping to organise the annual Erne Vintage Car Club Rally. And, in between these, he secured an international niche for himself when images from his live video recording of the immediate aftermath of the 1987 Enniskillen bomb (he had gone along as usual with his camcorder) were shown on TV screens worldwide.
Raymond Blakeley McCartney was born in November, 1937 into the family grocery business in Kesh, The Reform Stores. He was one in a family of four of whom two predeceased him, his brothers, Norman and Garry.
He was educated at Portora Royal School before returning to help run the family store. By 1966, he had made his first move into the hotel trade, converting Kesh Police Station into the Lough Erne Hotel. In January, 1967, he married his devoted wife, Caroline (nee Moore), the couple celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary last January.
In 1971, Mr McCartney purchased the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen and, later, sold the Lough Erne and moved with his wife and family into a suite in the 'Killy'. He added the chalets and the owner's bungalow which are there today.
Although he had to contend with the vicissitudes of the 'Troubles', he persevered in promoting and providing the best that Fermanagh has to offer, acquiring in turn Necarne Castle (later sold to Fermanagh District Council), the Fairview Bar and McCartney's Inn in Enniskillen and, finally, the Belmore Court Motel.
He had a terrific business brain. A holiday in the US with his wife gave him the idea to develop eight terrace houses just off the Dublin Road into Ireland's first motel offering 30 self-catering apartments. He undertook the first phase of the development and his son, Terry (the manager) the next phase after his father finally retired. Even then, his father insisted on acting as its 'chief maintenance man'.
Outside of family and the hotel/tourism trade - he was co-founder, for instance, of the Fermanagh Lakeland Hotels which today numbers 15 members - he led a hectic social life. He was founder chairman of Kesh development Association and the Erne Vintage Club, he was a Past President of Enniskillen Rotary and a recipient of the Paul Harris Award for service and, then there was his love of the camera, an attachment that sprouted when his late father bought him a cine camera when he was still young.
The upshot of those early 'movies' of local weddings at which he was a guest was a remarkable DVD conversion, 'Fermanagh As It Used To Be'. It got a public showing a few years ago and is still talked about. He had intended converting others with his close friend, Roy Smith.
Once the Killyhevlin Hotel was developed, Raymond, his wife and family moved into town, to Barranderry Heights and, then, 28 years ago they made the final move to Lakeview Park not far away.
It was there he had expressed a wish to return to after spells in hospital over the past 15 months. The Mater Hospital in Dublin did indicate their readiness to undertake a lung transplant, but only to be considered once he was strong enough. Sadly, when the outlook did look bright, his health disimproved.
However, through the 'Herald', the family has urged readers to consider carrying a donor card. But, ill-health did not prevent him raising thousands of pounds for charity and, as in home and business, his ready charm and wit made things hum.
Travel, with his wife, and rugby were other pursuits close to his heart, but he did treasure long-lasting friendships, and this was apparent at the huge volume of sympathisers who called at his late home to pay their respects. They included people like Fr Brian D'Arcy, CP, rector, the Graan . Likewise, an impressive number attended the funeral service in Rossorry Parish Church last Saturday.
Archdeacon Cecil Pringle officiated, Jim Rooney was organist and the deceased's son, Terry along with Noel Beattie and Gordon Daley did the readings. As the remains were taken from the church for burial in the adjoining cemetery, a brass quartet played Elgar's, 'Nimrod' movement.
At the family's request, donations in lieu of flowers were directed through the undertaker, S.R. Elliott & Sons to Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Gordon Greaves, Enniskillen
The death took place peacefully, on Easter Sunday, at his home in The Limes, Enniskillen of well-known local businessman and soccer supporter, Gordon Greaves, following a short illness. He was 57 and was husband of Stella, father of Kathryn and twins, Brian and Lisa, and grandfather of Kara.
He was one in a family of nine of the late William and Mary Greaves, Drumcaw, Killadeas and, after attending the local Killadeas PS, Kesh Intermediate and Fermanagh College, he joined the Customs and Excise in London. Later, he transferred to work placement with the typewriter manufacturer, Olivetti and, following the death of his father, Gordon moved back to Belfast as Olivetti's branch manager.
Then, when the firm closed its Belfast operation, he joined John Bush Business Systems in Belfast as their representative. In that role, he covered much of the North.
It was in 1973 that he married his wife, the former Stella Hunter who is from Trillick. In October, 1976 he and his wife opened the Erne Business Equipment store in Darling Street, Enniskillen. He was subsequently joined in the business by his eldest daughter, Kathryn and, then, by the twins.
Outside of home and work, he was a keen follower of soccer and golf. During his time in London in the late 1960's, he took an interest in the fortunes of Chelsea FC and remained their faithful fan for the rest of his life. Then, when he returned to Enniskillen, he became involved with Enniskillen Rangers FC and served as club chairman for a spell.
For the past 30 years, he was big into golf and was a member both of Enniskillen Golf Club and Murvagh, serving as captain of Enniskillen in 1995 and as club President at the end.
His largely attended funeral took place on Easter Tuesday of last week in Rossorry Parish Church. The volume of the attendance reflected the high regard in which Gordon was held in the community. Archdeacon Cecil Pringle, the Rector, conducted the service and was assisted by Rev Isobel Nixon.
The burial too place in the adjoining cemetery.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Stella, by his daughter, Kathryn (Declan) and his granddaughter, Kara, by the twins, Brian and Lisa and he is further survived by his brothers and sisters, Beryl Thompson, George, Colin, Helen Ternan, Carole McCaul, Anne and Ian. In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his eldest brother, Sandy in 1997.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by S. R. Elliott & Sons, Darling Street.
Mrs Elsie Jane Gott, Derygonnelly
The death has taken place of Elsie Jane Gott at The County Care Home on 11th April, 2007. Elsie was born on 28th August, 1922, at Caldrum, Derrygonnelly. She was the only daughter of William and Margaret Jane McClelland and attended school at Cornerk, Derrygonnelly and after school helped out at home on the family farm.
Elsie married William Gott and settled at Caldrum and had one son, Henry. Her interests were her home, family and friends. She looked forward to seeing family and friends calling to visit her and she also loved to go to see her friends at their homes and do anything she could to help. Her other interest was her pets, mainly her cats and dogs.
The well attended funeral took place at Inishmacsaint Parish Church where the service was conducted by Rev. Derek Kerr. The hymns were "Thine be the glory", "For ever with the Lord" and "Shall we gather at the river". The burial took place in the adjoining churchyard.
Elsie is survived her youngest brother, Alvis, Enniskillen and a large family circle. She was pre-deceased by her husband, William, in January, 1981, her son Henry in February, 1996 and her brothers, Wilsie in August, 2003 and Harry six weeks later.
The funeral arrangements were by W.T. Morrison, Darling Street, Enniskillen.