The wife of the late Cecil Humes has paid tribute to her beloved husband, describing him as a "people's person" who made many good friends during his 62 years as a car salesman for TP Topping.

Cecil, 86, late of Lack Road, Drumharvey, Irvinestown, passed away peacefully at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen on September 20, 2022.

Speaking lovingly of her late husband, Margaret said: "I will miss his presence here.

"Cecil was a people's person, he loved to mix company."

The son of Elizabeth and William Humes, Cecil was the second youngest in a family of nine children. He was raised on his parents' farm.

He helped out on the farm and, when old enough, assisted his father in auctioneering and estate agency.

Cecil continued in the business following his father's death. At the age of 18, he went into car sales at TP Topping in Enniskillen and remained there for 62 years.

"It was his job and his hobby," said Margaret, noting that he enjoyed meeting people and made many good friends during those years.

Cecil spent all his years at Lack Road, Drumharvey with the exception of eight years living at Drumhaw Heights in Enniskillen.

Following his marriage to Margaret, together, the couple returned to Cecil's home of Drumharvey where his remaining years were spent.

Following his parents' death, Cecil continued to have a keen interest in maintaining the farm and renovating the out buildings.

"He enjoyed the farm, keeping it neat and tidy," said Margaret.

In his spare time, he had a keen interest in golf and snooker.

Cecil was a lifelong member of Derryvullan North Parish Church where he was baptised and confirmed. He was a regular attender at church until his decline in health.

"Cecil suffered many serious health issues in the past [few] years," explained Margaret, who went on to note that with great determination, good hospital treatment and aftercare at home, he always managed to bounce back and resume his normal activities.

Sadly, on Saturday, September 20, he passed away after experiencing a fall at his home.

"He was pottering about, he had had a very good day, he was out in the garden and then towards night, I heard him outside and he wasn't in after about 20 minutes so I went out and I found him lying just where he had fallen. He got a very bad gash on his head. It was a brain injury that Cecil died from," said Margaret, noting how Cecil had previously survived cancer, describing him as a "fighter until the end".

Arranged by Keith Elliott, WT Morrison Funeral Directors, Cecil's funeral service took place on Thursday, September 22 in Derryvullan North Parish Church, Irvinestown. During the service, Cecil's TP Topping colleagues Peter Little and Ronald Hurst paid tribute.

In tribute to his late colleague, Ronald said: "What can I say about Cecil? Firstly [he was] the best car salesman in Ireland. When he retired he was the longest serving Land Rover salesman in the UK."

He went on to share a story of how one February it was a leap year and Cecil vowed to sell a car each day.

"On the 29th he stayed up half the night to make it number 29," said Ronald, adding: "He never missed an opportunity to find a new customer, and I can see him now standing at the back chatting some poor man into changing his motor."

Describing Cecil as from "the old school of car salesmen", Ronnie explained: "He often didn't go out until 9pm at night and meet a farmer in his yard at home. [They'd] talk business over supper into the wee small hours with poor Margaret at home worrying where on Earth he was.

"Cecil had an incredible ability to relate to people and it didn't matter their age, he could talk to anyone, from 18 to 80.

"He was always properly dressed, even in casual dress there was always a shirt and tie. He had standards.

"I can't do Cecil justice in a few short words, [but] what I can say is that we will miss him so much. We will have great memories that we will cherish. We have lost a dear colleague and friend," said Ronald.

A large number of people came out to pay their respects at Cecil's funeral. This support and love for her late husband meant a lot to Margaret.

"I knew that Cecil was very popular and was known far and wide from his time at Toppings. It was lovely to see so many come to say their last farewell," she said.

The funeral service was followed by burial in the adjoining churchyard.

Cecil is lovingly remembered by his wife Margaret and all the family circle.