Tributes have been paid to popular Tempo man PJ Murphy (79), who passed away on January 19 following a battle with illness.

It was a consolation to PJ and the family that he was able to die in the home where he was born and lived most of his life.

His wife Ann said: “On January 7, he celebrated his 79th birthday, and said ‘I have made it to 79, but doubt if I’ll see 80’.”

Speaking on behalf of the family circle, she said: “PJ never looked, acted or felt his age. His enquiring mind and interest in the natural world kept him young.”

PJ was a man who could turn his hands to anything. He also had an interest in history and tradition, and in his final months it was PJ who instigated the recent relocation of the Tempo Mass Rock.

While PJ’s primary trade was in joinery, he could turn his hand to anything, crafting swings, climbing frames and rafts. Ann said: “One winter, the family even built an igloo complete with goatskin rugs and candles.

“PJ repurposed and reused [thing] long before it was fashionable [to do so]; oil drums became buckets, old tyres became feeders for cattle and planters.”

A particular love of his was vintage tractors, Ann added. “He loved working at machinery, in particular vintage tractors, and spent many happy hours restoring and adjusting them.

“He has been credited with inventing the first round bale lifter in the area.”

Speaking of PJ’s other interests, Ann continued: “He also enjoyed reading and watching documentaries on the natural world and had a strong interest in Irish history and traditions.

“He had a great friendship with and respect for the late Johnny McKeagney.”

PJ met Ann in 1979 and they married in Jerusalem in 1985. The pair welcomed three children, Michael, Elena and Philip, of whom he was immensely proud.

Of their children, Ann added: “He stated that they were the greatest achievement of his life. He loved to see his children take up an interest in being in the outdoors through sports like horse riding and rock climbing.”

Speaking about about his early life and career, Ann said: “PJ grew up on the family farm outside of Tempo with his two brothers and two sisters.

“He attended the local primary school at Glen before he and his siblings moved to the larger primary school in Tempo village.

“After leaving school, he worked on the family farm and started a joinery apprenticeship, before finding work with Tracey Contractors in the 1960s.

“He worked on many schemes throughout the county, including the building of the Collegiate school and the housing estate at Reihill Park, Irvinestown.

“Later he was employed by J & I Conway and often talked about fitting the shuttering on the Tech.”

As his career developed, PJ left Fermanagh and headed to Dublin to seek out work.

Ann added: “He and Pat Burns moved to Dublin in 1970 where he quickly found work as a foreman joiner at the construction of the RTE building.

“He quickly moved up the ranks, assisting engineers and surveyors and began attending night classes where he gained qualifications in various aspects of the construction industry. He returned to Fermanagh in 1973 to take up employment with a consultant engineer.”

PJ spent a large portion of his career with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

Ann said: “His next move was the NIHE in 1976, firstly working as a Clerk of Works, and from September, 1980 until his retirement in January, 2008, as a Maintenance Officer, all the while farming at home too.”

Sadly, PJ faced ill health in his final years, Ann said.

“In 2014, PJ was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he bore his cross with great dignity and strength, constantly stating that he was grateful for the many healthy years that he had had.

“Sadly, as Covid restrictions were imposed his health deteriorated. The fact that he could not see family and friends was a great disappointment to him, as PJ was a very friendly, outgoing character who loved to chat and put the world to rights.

“ PJ didn’t let it get him down though, and spent many an hour on the phone to friends and family.”

The late PJ Murphy’s funeral took place on January 21 at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tempo and he was buried at Edenmore cemetery.

PJ is survived by his wife, Ann; children, Michael, Elena and Philip; and siblings, Mary, Tony, and Una. He was predeceased by his brother, Michael. Funeral arrangements were carried out by John McKeegan Undertakers.