STEPHEN Duffy lived his life to the full in America, but he never forgot his Enniskillen roots.

This was the heartfelt tribute of sister, Jacqui Boyd, who spoke with pride about the endearing influence that her late brother had on all who knew him. 

A native of Fermanagh, Mr. Duffy had moved USA in the year 2,000, where he "drove trucks, rallied cars, and lived life" in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania. 

Sadly, those days in the North-Eastern state would be his last, as the 52-year-old's life was tragically cut short earlier this month due to complications arising from a cardiac issue. 

"It was a massive shock to us all, and it still hasn't sunk in," said Mrs. Boyd following her brother's funeral at St. Michael's Church on Monday. 

"He always had a zest for life, and that iconic giggle. He was fun-loving, and he lived life to the full. We are all devastated."

Mrs. Boyd recounted many fond memories of her brother, who grew up in Enniskillen but "took a notion" to move out to America in his mid-20s. 

"It was a big move for him at the time, but once he took a notion to move out to the States, he was away!" Mrs. Boyd recounted.

"Initially he didn't plan to stay for good. He first lived in New York, and then moved to Pennsylvania. He lived his life, and he was very happy."

Despite this decision to remain in America, Mr. Duffy's endearing influence on his hometown wasn't forgotten. 

"When he lived in Enniskillen, he worked at Lochside Garage," Mrs. Boyd recounted. "Jim Dolan was like a father to him. Stephen had the utmost admiration for Jim, and Jim felt the same way about Stephen."

According to Mrs. Boyd, one of her brother's main loves was driving, so much so that he was involved in both professional truck driving and the rallying scene. 

"Between trucking and rallying, he got around a lot!" Mrs. Boyd explained. "It was actually at a rally in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, where he met his future wife, Michelle. 

"They would go on to have a boy, Eoin, who was born in 2008."

Indeed, Mr. Duffy's love for rallying was surpassed only by a love for Eoin; he will always be remembered as an "adoring father".

"Eoin was his life, he was his pride and joy," she said. "As well as this, his hometown of Ireland was also very important to him. His Irish roots meant everything to him. 

"When Eoin was born, he brought him back over to Enniskillen to get Christened. He loved coming back when he could. He never forgot about this place."

Mrs. Boyd added: "It was no surprise that Stephen always wanted to be buried back here, if anything happened to him. 

"We were happy to honour that wish on Monday."

Mr. Duffy was a beloved father of Eoin; son of the late (Don) John and Susan; brother of Jacqui Boyd and the late Trevor; uncle to Nicholas, Jamie-lee and Sacha; great uncle to Kara-lily, Charlie and Molly.

He is mourned by his girlfriend, Becky; his ex-wife, Michele and her husband, Tommy, and their 
extended family.