MARKING the end of an era, Seamus Creighan has decided to hang up his apron and finally, fully enjoy his complete retirement, after working hard at popular Enniskillen chipper The Golden Arrow for more than 60 years.

Seamus began working in the chip shop in 1962, at the tender age of 15. Talking to this newspaper, Seamus said he spent “many happy memories” in the chip shop over the years, and he really enjoyed working alongside all his colleagues and the owners, the Lucceshi family.

In the early days, Seamus began working in the back yard, peeling spuds to get them ready to become chips. That then progressed to him working front of house.

Seamus said: “One day, when I was 18 and a half, Mr. Lucceshi led me up the path to the shop, and that is the best thing that ever happened to me!”

The hardworking man said he left the business once, but was asked to come to work there again back by the family.

Looking back, as well as working from nine in the morning to half two in the The Golden Arrow, he also worked in the evening, delivering newspapers around the town.

“I worked six days – flat-out – six days a week. Back then, I made two pounds, five shillings a week in the chippy, then I had 10 shillings from the paper round as well.”

After decades of hard work, Seamus explained how around a year ago, he decided that he had done enough, and was finally ready for relaxation and a well-earned full retirement.

He said: “I just had to tell the family I had to pull the plug, and enjoy my retirement.”

Seamus has witnessed a large amount of change throughout his time at the popular Enniskillen eaterie.

He said: “I saw some amount of changes, between the population of people in the town, to the change in staff.

“There are a lot of younger people working and coming in now; most of the people I worked with have moved on, or sadly, passed away.”

Seamus had a very caring nature towards his co-workers, and explained how one day he quickly noticed how a woman he was working with was experiencing a stroke, and he arranged for an ambulance to take her to the hospital.

Mrs. Lucceshi, who took over the business with her husband in October, 1962, described Seamus as a “great, hard worker”.

She said, “Seamus was very loyal, honest and reliable, and a very good friend to me.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Seamus, and all he has done for myself and the family.”

Mrs. Lucceshi explained how she and Seamus had “been through everything together”, and her loyal worker, and old friend, strongly supported her through everything, including grief.

She added: “We have grown old together. That’s not to say we haven’t had our differences in the past, but we were always quick to get over them, and become the best of friends again.”

Discussing Seamus’s dedication to the business, she continued: “Even when Seamus left, he used to come in on a Saturday and work for a while!

“I would be in town to get my hair done, and would always call in to have a chat and a catch-up with him. We were all very close, and have the best memories together.”

Seamus says he is going to use the time during his retirement to continue keeping busy.

He said he is busy on projects, such as the Men’s Shed in Enniskillen’s New Horizons, and he loves spending time there. He also spends his time doing activities in the Devenish Partnership Community group in Enniskillen.

Seamus said he also keeps himself busy doing a spot of fishing when the weather is good, as well as working on his garden and vegetable plot out the back of his house, which includes small crops of potatoes, tomatoes and onions.

Seamus added that he and the staff of The Golden Arrow intend to have a night out of partying to celebrate his retirement, and all his success over the years in the chip shop, and he is looking forward to getting out and reminiscing with everyone then.