Bob Hicks will be remembered as a “kind and helpful person”

Mr. Hicks, of Barnhill, Tempo Road, passed away peacefully at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex on August 29.

A service of thanksgiving was held in St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen on Saturday, August 31, and was conducted by the Very Rev. Kenneth Hall.

Lessons were read by his two grandsons, Kyle and Aaron, and poems were read by his grand-daughter, Ellie, and grandson, Joshua.

A Guard of Honour was then formed by members of RUC George Cross Association and the UDR Association, and a piper played as the coffin was carried from the church.

After the service, a private family burial took place at Breandrum Cemetery, and once more the piper played as Mr. Hicks was carried to his final resting place.

The funeral of the late Robert (Bob) Hicks. (Image: Donnie Phair.)

Mr. Hick's sister, Mabel Black, penned a heartfelt tribute to her brother.

“Robert was born in hospital in Enniskillen in 1944,” she said.

“He was the firstborn of George and Eliza Jane Hicks (nee Sheridan), who lived at Mullan, Florencecourt.

"He attended Florencecourt Primary School, and his education was completed at Enniskillen High School.

"At an early age he started his first job with Broadfields in Enniskillen, followed by employment in Taylor Wood. He remained there until it closed in 1965.

"His next employment was with Standard Telephones and Cables, where he began work as a panel wirer, progressing through many roles but finishing in the Quality Control Department, working with Post Office officials until the factory closed in 1983.

"He worked in Cooper Technical Components for a period from 1983, and after this he joined the RUC Full-Time Reserve in 1985, where he remained until it was disbanded in November, 2001.

“Following this, he worked as a security guard at the police station in Enniskillen until Covid-19 arrived in 2020, when he finally retired."

Mrs. Black explained that her late brother joined the 'B Specials' when he was 18, and following its disbandment in 1970, moved to the UDR part-time on the third day after they were formed.

He held the rank of Colour Sergeant when he left to join the RUC Full-Time Reserve in 1985.

He was awarded the BEM for his Services to The Military, which he was "honoured" to receive from the late Lord Erne.

He was also a committed member of Masonic Lodge 891 and Orange Lodge 687.

Mrs. Black continued: "It was during his time working in Taylor Woods that he set eyes on a young Genevieve Ellis, and he plucked up the courage to ask her out when they were both on a boat trip organised by the factory.

"He wasted no time and they were engaged at Christmas of the same year. 

"They married in St. Macartin’s Cathedral on August 5, 1964. Their firstborn son, Keith, arrived in 1967, followed by Clive and Gary.

"They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on August 5 with their three sons present, albeit in Omagh hospital.

"He and Genevieve were delighted to receive their Special Anniversary Card from The King and Queen."

The funeral (Image: Donnie Phair.)

Mrs. Black described her late brother as a "devoted family man", and a "kind and helpful person".

"Robert was firstly a family man, and was devoted to each of his grandchildren," she said.

"From an early age, he encouraged the boys to gain skills as they watched him making and mending things.

"One of his  favourite TV programmes was 'The Repair Shop', and this was of no surprise as he had an excellent talent of making and repairing things.

"His second quality was that of being a kind and helpful person. 

"He would help anyone in need of anything, and never hesitated to devote time to do so. He was also a talented badminton player and on many occasions played in mixed-double matches with his mother-in-law, Mrs. Enid Ellis.

"Both of them belonged to the St. Macartin’s Cathedral Badminton Club.

"In later years, when his family had fled the nest, he and Genevieve enjoyed lots of holidays, including several cruises, holidays to America and various Mediterranean places.

"He bought a motor home and he and Genevieve just loved touring around Ireland at their leisure."

Mr. Hicks was a devoted husband of Genevieve, a much-loved father of Keith (Mel); Clive (Lorna) and Gary (Nicola); and an adoring grandfather to Chloe, Joshua, Lucas, Kyle, Aaron, Ellie, Hannah and Alex.

He was a much-loved brother of Mabel, a brother-in-law of Robin Black, and George McCoy, and brother-in-law of Cynthia.

The family requested family flowers only and donations in lieu if desired were going to the Palliative Care Ward, Omagh Hospital, UDR Benevolent Association and the RUC GC Benevolent Fund.

Cheques should be made payable to W T Morrison, Funeral Directors, and sent to Ballycassidy House, Funeral Home, 101 Killadeas Road, Enniskillen, BT94 2ES, or donate online via wtmorrison.com.