The serene and still waters of Lough Erne which surround West Island said goodbye to one of the area’s oldest residents last week when the late Eric Cathcart’s (97) funeral took place on Thursday afternoon.

A man of the water, it seemed appropriate when the heavens opened and rain fell on the coffin of a man who was synonymous with water Mr. Cathcart who lived on West Island, Belle Isle, near Lisbellaw was a popular resident and one of the oldest residents of Lough Erne’s islands, where he was born and died.

The Cathcart family have lived on the shores of Lough Erne for more than 300 years and have long been associated with the lough and its islands.

Mourners carried Mr. Cathcart’s remains across the short blue bridge from the island to make its final journey led by a lone piper, Gordon McKeown, who played a lament.  As the procession crossed over the bridge, a traditional Lough Erne Cot rowed under the bridge before stopping in tribute to a man who spent many years perfecting the craft of cot building.

The cot was one that Mr. Cathcart and members of his family helped build as part of a project, and was rowed by Tom Irvine who was part of the team who helped make it.

He died on Tuesday, August 27, one day after turning 97, following a battle with cancer.

Mr. Cathcart like the generations of his family who lived on the islands before him were heavily involved in cot building and nature.

His son Andrew said: “The family would have been involved in all of that when they came off Staff Island to Innishcreagh, from Killygoan to West Island, where he was born and most of them were born on the island.

“There would have been a lot of people who lived on those islands then.

“He was very involved with nature and wildlife and conservation.”

His working life was spent in the Forestry Service, which was a natural fit for the islander who as a boy cut down oak and larch trees to build a cot with his brother.

Remembering his father he spoke of a “character” who enjoyed nature but also found great joy in writing poetry in his twilight years.

Andrew said: “He liked walking the dog, writing poems and watching the TV, he also really liked gadgets.

“He loved the Lough and being out on the boat and fishing, they would have all been into fishing and eel fishing back in their days.”

Mr. Eric Cathcart’s funeral will took place on Thursday, August 29 at St. Michael’s Parish Church, Derrybrusk, Lisbellaw at 2pm, followed by interment in the adjoining churchyard.

He is survived by his children, Ian, Denis, Helen and Andrew; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr. Cathcart was predeceased by his wife, Jean Rachel, and by his siblings, Victor, Maggie, Sadie, Ernie, Eric, Alfie and Ina.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Marcus Madill Funeral Director.