Tributes paid to Fermanagh engineer Andrew 'Andy' Cochrane

The 53-year-old passed away suddenly from natural causes last week.

The grandfather-of-one died on Sunday, April 4, leaving his grieving family to mourn the much-loved husband, father, grandfather, son and brother.

The Fermanagh grandfather had only got to spend seven weeks with his first grandchild.

Tributes were led by his wife, Hilary. Speaking to this newspaper, Hilary said: “Andy was my best friend, my protector, my childhood sweetheart; we grew up together.”

The two grew up near each other outside Tempo and met at a school disco. They got married on March 28, 1987, and were married for 34 years, with the pair making their home at Mullyknock, Tempo.

The loving couple had two children, Leigh and Stuart, who spoke at their late father’s funeral, with Leigh paying tribute to a “daddy who was my hero, my protector, my inspiration, and I always thought of him as a hardworking man”.

She added: “He was always our encourager.”

Also paying tribute to their late father, Stuart said: “When I think of my dad and how he makes me feel, proud comes to mind.

“You were a proud soldier, a proud husband to mum, a proud father to Leigh and I, and most of all, a proud granda to Freddie [Andy’s eight-week-old grandson].””

Speaking of the many tributes paid to Andy, Hilary said: “We don’t think Andy realised just how well-respected and well-loved he was.”

Of Andy’s early life, the family said: “Andrew was born in Portadown on March 30, 1968. He was Noel and Anna’s beloved second child, and came from a very warm and loving family home at Bonnybrooke, Pubble, where he grew up with his brother, Richard, and sisters, Linda, Jayne and the late Diane.”

Andy attended Tempo Primary School and later Portora Royal School. He also achieved an OND in Mechanical and Production Engineering.

The family said: “Andy always had a good work ethic as he worked at Tempo filling station from an early age, [before] gaining employment at Fishers Engineering, where he had an 18-year career.”

His working life took him all across the world including India and Abu Dhabi, where he and Hilary lived for four years.

She added: “He had the travel bug from when he went to Minnesota in America for six weeks when he was 11 years old on a scheme.

“He loved to travel; he would have loved to have retired somewhere warm. We always said he had the sand between his toes.

“Andy loved the Far East and enjoyed holidaying out there with all his family and making memories.”

Andy proudly served in the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) and Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) for almost 20 years.

Hilary told this newspaper: “During his service he made many lifelong friends who have spoken about him since, telling us how he was an intelligent and loyal man who always had your back.”

He was also a dedicated member of the Battalion Pipes and Drums. Hilary recalled how he was very proud to have paraded for The Queen in 1991 at the presentation of the UDR colours.

“He told me he rose two feet taller when he realised it was The Queen that was inspecting the Battalion on parade,” she said.

Andy was a member of Derryclavin Pipe Band and took great pride in watching his son compete in the world championships with the band. He “loved to go to contests and to Edinburgh Tattoo”.

Andy was an avid fan of Leeds United and the Northern Ireland football team. He also had a keen interest in rugby and followed the Ireland Rugby squad.

Recalling his personality, Hilary said: “He was full of sarcasm, had a quick wit and enjoyed a joke.

“Andy was an extremely intelligent, kind and loving man who always put others before himself.”

Andrew ‘Andy’ Cochrane was laid to rest last Thursday in Cavanaleck, Fivemiletown following a funeral service in Tempo Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his wife, Hilary; children Leigh (Iain) and Stuart (Tasha and Freddie); parents Noel and Anna; and siblings, Richard, Linda and Jayne. He was predeceased by his sister, Diane.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Austen Stinson, W.T. Morrison Funeral Directors.