THERE was widespread community sadness in the village of Derrylin following the passing of well-known resident Cyril Gunn (68) on March 6.

Cyril’s name may not have been known to everyone, but many will have recognised him as "the wee man who stood beside the wall".

Paying tribute to "the main man of the house", his brother, Tommy, said he will remember Cyril for his presence, his small quirks, and for all of his rituals.

Tommy added his brother was "cross-community before cross-community was a thing”.

Explaining, he said: “Cyril lived in the family home near the Church of Ireland in Derrylin, and frequently attended funerals to sympathise with friends and relations of people he knew, and even those he did not know, or to go and talk to the gravediggers following a service."

This part of him was well reflected when cross-community, socially-distanced mourners in Derrylin lined the street to pay tribute to Cyril during his funeral on Sunday.

Speaking of his brother, who lived with Down syndrome, Tommy noted: “He always had his wee phrases, such as 'Go for a spin’."

He had picked up a love of sitting in the car, having accompanied his father, Jimmy, on many travels as a taxi driver.

Tommy spoke of how his brother was active in his faith, and a regular attender at St. Ninnidh’s Church, Derrylin, noting: “It was well-known in the village that he often usurped the duties of the altar servers at funerals by carrying the Holy Water at the head of the procession to the graveyard – whether he knew the bereaved family or not.”

With Cyril gone, PP Father Gerard Alwill took on the role as he carried the Holy Water to Cyril's burial on Sunday.

Cyril was born on February 9, 1953, as the youngest of the five children of Jimmy and Roseann Gunn, and was a loving brother to Tommy, Seamus, Anna and Margaret.

Of Cyril's early life, Fr. Alwill said during his homily: “He was diagnosed with Down syndrome, a condition about which not much was known at the time, so it was a severe and traumatic shock to the family circle.

“No facilities were available to cater for children with the condition then, so Cyril went to the local Derrylin primary school as a late entrant, and remained there until he was about 10 years old.

"Years later, he could still rhyme off the names of many of his classmates, who remained lifelong friends.”

Cyril later received schooling at a SEN unit in the Royal Hotel, Enniskillen, and in the old Fever hospital in Killadeas.

He undertook work experience in Desmond’s Clothing Factory, Kent Plastics in Enniskillen, and the English Sewing Cotton factory in Lisnaskea.

Cyril enjoyed sport, particularly snooker and darts, which he often played with his nieces and nephews when the family acquired a pool table.

Tommy added: “Cyril loved ceremonies; weddings and parties, and all of that.”

Cyril was also a Country and Western fan, and had a particular fondness for Daniel O’Donnell's songs. When he wasn’t waving to passing cars from his wall, he enjoyed walks “to the bridge and back”, as he described it.

Speaking on Cyril’s later life, Fr. Alwill said: “Cyril moved to Castle Park, Lisnaskea and then to Share Centre, where he spent the remainder of his busy and fulfilled working life.

"It was in Share, and during his regular visits to Barnlee Residential Home, that he became the chief ‘tidier-upper’ and was fondly known as ‘The Boss’.”

Following his father’s death in 1983, Cyril was cared for by his mother, Roseanne. When she became unwell, Cyril became an unofficial carer to her.

In his later years, Cyril continued to live in the family home with the assistance of his brothers and sisters, and the help of “many dedicated, conscientious and selfless medical staff and carers who made his life fruitful and happy”.

His family praised the work of the health service, and said: “[We] acknowledge the influence for good that these [medical staff and carers] had on Cyril’s lifestyle, and thank them sincerely for their generosity, patience and assistance over many years. The often much-maligned health service can be truly proud of these individuals."

Cyril Gunn’s Reqium Mass was held at St. Ninnidh’s Church, Derrylin on Sunday, March 7. He was laid to rest in the family plot in the adjoining graveyard.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Patrick Blake Group, Derrylin.