The ancient Irish would have described the late Dr. John George Burrell as a “duine ildánach”, or “a man for all seasons”. That he truly was, as well as an erudite, eclectic teacher who won an array of awards – and a wonderful community leader in and around Fivemiletown for many years, but more importantly, he was a loving father to his family.

He has left a great legacy of community service and was rightly recognised for his immense contribution with the award of an MBE in March, 2022, from the now King Charles.

In a poignant tribute to her father, his daughter June Murphy said her father was born in Lurgan in 1937 and was the eldest son of four siblings – Mollie, Gordon and Elinor.

Happy childhood memories have always been shared by his family circle of John building rafts, playing games, singing and playing the guitar with his cousins, grandparents and great-grandparents in Lurgan.

“His career in teaching started as our father said by chance when he was offered and won a coveted place on the scholarship scheme to Queen’s University and Stranmillis College in Belfast.

“He recalled to his grandchildren recently that this was a completely new idea he had managed the universities to consider, and offer him, to enable him to study his degree while practising to become a teacher.

“This was obviously the basis of his interest in wanting to start to initiate and lead new ideas in the field of education.”

Shortly after graduating from Queen’s, John met his future wife, Unetta and at the age of 23 applied for and got a job as Vice-Principal in Fivemiletown in 1961 – the same year that he and Unetta married, and they had a “wonderful 47 years of marriage together”, before the sad passing of Unetta in 2009.

“John and Unetta were blessed with having three children, Juanita, June and Allister, and John encouraged his children to participate in a variety of sports which they all enjoyed together, playing table tennis, cycling, swimming and golf.

“Their gardens were a play park with everything from see-saws to swings, all built by John for his young family, to enjoy with their cousins and friends at their family home.”

“John enjoyed 10 great years as vice-principal and 26 amazing years as principal at Fivemiletown High School/Community College.

“He really loved teaching Modern Languages and introduced foreign school visits abroad to Spain and France.

“Later he ventured and initiated the skiing trips for students and accompanying staff to Bulgaria.”

John later built an outdoor swimming pool in the school grounds and it was officially opened by Olympic gold medallist Mary Peters in 1976, and she returned to re-open the heated indoor pool in 1995.

“Our father also did an MA thesis on education in Northern Ireland and travelled all over the US on a scholarship, studying education in the US.

“He had a keen interest and vision for the local community, to improve and provide a range of amenities and activities which would provide a place for everyone to avail of and enjoy socially, and leisurely, and to create premises for local businesses to flourish in the village of Fivemiletown.

“Among the projects he started was the raising of £12,000 for St. John’s Church, Fivemiletown.

“This new Parochial Church Hall, as children, we thought was amazing with the dazzling global centrepiece and stage where a variety of local concerts and special events have been held over the years.”

This vision continued as John in his spare time applied for many community grants.

As part of the local Chamber of Commerce, who later developed the Fivemiletown Community Development Association, they renovated the locally known “Buttermarket” into premises with 10 units for local businesses and community groups.

This group also built an outdoor bowling green with the help of fundraising and a Lotto grant.

“In the field of education, our father was a former president of the Ulster Teachers Union.

“After retiring from his role as principal of Fivemiletown High School and Community College, John continued his interest in developing community projects and gaining investments, and in 2008 secured the investment of £822,000 for the workshop units at Clabby.

“More recently, funding was awarded for the local Fivemiletown Football Team, Rugby Club and Clogher Valley Golf Club.

“John had many hobbies; he loved playing the guitar and piano, and his children and grandchildren have lots of happy memories with family sing-a-longs at Christmas and birthdays.

“He also enjoyed listening to Jazz, Rock and Roll, Country and Western and Classical Music and taught his daughters and granddaughters a few Waltzes and Jives dancing as we listened to the classic records on his record player at home.

“John loved singing and always enjoyed singing Bass in the Church Choir, especially in the Harvest, Christmas and Easter Special Services at St. John’s in Fivemiletown.

“In his spare time, John loved playing golf and became president of Clogher Valley Golf Club, and also enjoyed playing indoor and outdoor bowls.

“He was in his element most of all playing bowls on the beach with his children and grandchildren in the summertime.

“John always had a passion for gardening, from helping his own father harvest apples and grapes in his family home in Lurgan, to showing his children and grandchildren how to grow tomatoes, rhubarb, lettuce all year round and the task of harvesting two acres of home-grown onions and potatoes.

“He loved nature and he really enjoyed all the flowers and trees planted in his own garden design of which his family and friends could enjoy at his own home the beauty of God’s creation.”

Dr. John Burrell passed away on December 6, peacefully surrounded by his loving family at his home, Cran Lodge, in Fivemiletown.

He was a much-loved husband of the late Unetta, and a devoted father of Juanita (Liam), June (Raymond), and Allister ( Jill).

He was also a dear brother of Mollie, Gordon and Elinor, and a very special grandfather of John, Christopher, Daniel, Rhiannon, Anna-Jane, Alexandrea and Samuel.

A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of John took place on Friday, December 8 in St. John’s Parish Church, conducted by the Rev. Hanlon.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Marcus Madill Funeral Directors, Enniskillen.

John will be sadly missed and always lovingly remembered by Maryke and all his family and all his family circle.

“Safe in the arms of Jesus.”