THERE was widespread sadness across Fermanagh and farther afield at the news of the passing of the late Ernest Cecil ‘Ernie’ Long, fondly remembered near and far as a quiet, gentle and loving man.

Having beaten Covid-19 last year, the much-respected 90-year-old was laid to rest on Monday, following his passing last Friday after a short illness.

His daughters, Cheryl and Linda, spoke to The Impartial Reporter and described their father, Ernie, as a “kind, very gentle, very caring and very witty man”.

Linda said: “He thought more of others than himself. He was a quiet man was an impish sense of humour, and he always had a twinkle in his eye.”

Cheryl added: “He liked having a joke and a laugh; he was a modest man.”

The sisters reminisced about their first trip to the cinema with their father, and how he took them out on day trips and served as their taxi when they were growing up.

Linda and Cheryl recalled a story that Ernie frequently told of how he and his youngest brother, Neville, dressed up as a ‘big man’.

Explaining the story, Linda said: “Dad was about 15 at the time, and put his brother Neville on his shoulders, and they got their dad’s long overcoat and put it on.

“They would then step out in front of unsuspecting people coming along, and scare the life out of them!”

Ernie was the third-eldest of the 10 siblings born to George Henry Long and Alice Jane Moore in the townland of Cloone in Kinlough, Co. Leitrim.

He was predeceased by Willie, Harold, Jean, Pat and Neville, and is survived by his siblings Helen, Eric, Beth and Ivy.

Ernie’s family moved to Belleek in 1937, and a few years later moved to Garrison. His daughters described his “care-free days in Garrison where he jumped in rivers, climbed trees and made his own fun”.

Ernie had a “very sharp mind and was very methodical” and completed his Leaving Certificate a year early, but remained at school for an additional year as a teaching assistant.

He also spent a year in Lisburn, with relations attending school there.

He married Patricia (Patsy) Walsh on March 9, 1966, and the pair had two daughters, Linda and Cheryl, with Patsy describing her husband as her rock.

Ernie had two grandchildren, Ryan and Jade, who he was deeply proud of.

His daughters described him as a “hands-on grandfather, who picked the children up from school, enjoyed play-fighting with Ryan, and gently tugging Jade’s ponytail”.

Ernie also had a wide circle of nieces and nephews, who he was also close to and who loved him deeply.

At his funeral on Monday, Linda read a family tribute; his grandson, Ryan, read scripture and his granddaughter, Jade, sang ‘How deep the Father’s love for us’.

Ernie’s working life began at 15 years of age in Enniskillen, and he worked in several establishments, including Breen’s hardware shop, Richardson and Clingen, and most notably, the Post Office, where he served for 30 years, retiring in 1991.

Ernie was widely known, and respected for his devotion to Rossorry Parish Church. He served as a counter on the FWO counting team for more than 30 years, and as the Sunday School superintendent for 20 years.

His daughters added: “His friends circle was mostly to do with the church, and despite being older than most of his passengers, he frequently drove others to church on a Sunday until he was unable to do so.”

His other interests included Gransha Bowling Club, the Loyal Orders and gardening.

Ernie’s funeral took place on Monday, March 16, at Rossorry Parish Church, with socially distanced mourners paying their respects along the route.

He is survived by his, wife Patsy; daughters Linda (Rob) and Cheryl (Ewan); grandchildren Ryan and Jade; and his siblings, Helen, Eric, Beth and Ivy.

The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Canon Dr. Ian Ellis, and funeral arrangements were carried out by Austen Stinson, W.T. Morrison Funeral Directors