AN ENNISKILLEN solicitor and GAA stalwart will be remembered as a "devoted father and Gael", his son has said.

John Quinn of the Tempo Road was laid to rest in his hometown on Saturday, with members of Enniskillen Gaels forming a Guard of Honour as the funeral cortege passed Brewster Park.

A respected local solicitor, Mr. Quinn set up a successful practice from Belmore Street where he served his clients with distinction until his retirement.

He was also deeply involved in local GAA, and his life-long involvement in Enniskillen Gaels culminated in a tenure as chairman.

Mr. Quinn's son Ronan said the sheer number of people who turned out to pay their respects was a testament to the high esteem in which his father was held.

"He was a devoted Gael and our family have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief over the past few days," Ronan said. "On Saturday, club members formed a Guard of Honour as Dad's remains passed Brewster Park.

"The coming together of the community was amazing, and it will give myself, my brother Fergal and mum Dolores so much strength in the weeks and months to come.

"It was clear that our dad meant so much to so many different people. He touched so many in many different ways; we weren't fully aware of the impact that he had on so many until he passed. This is a testament to his character."

Born in Queen's Street in 1958, Mr. Quinn received his early education at St. Michael's Primary School and St. Michael's College, before taking on his first job as at the First Trust Bank in Enniskillen.

He worked there for a number of years before retraining as a solicitor at Queen's University. He worked in Belfast, Derry and Omagh before opening his practice at Belmore Street.

"His sheer work ethic and the way he conducted himself has left a lasting impression on us all", Ronan continued. "Workwise, he was a very discreet man, and he helped a lot of people who were in quite vulnerable situations.

"Law was his passion, but he was keen for me and Fergal to do whatever wanted in terms of our own careers. He didn't force either of us to follow in his footsteps; he was very keen for us to push on and make whatever career we wanted for ourselves."

The late John Quinn with wife, Dolores and sons, Fergal and Ronan. The late John Quinn with wife, Dolores and sons, Fergal and Ronan. (Image: File Photos.)Outside of work, Mr. Quinn's sporting exploits have left a lasting impression.

Ronan explained: "He had played for Enniskillen Gaels from when he was a very young child, and in more recent years he had been chairman of the club for around five-years.

"During that time he oversaw a lot of expansion in the club in terms of the underage setup and Men's Senior Team, as well as a big redevelopment with the new clubhouse.”

According to Ronan, his late father also had a proud ‘claim to fame’ when it came to his sport.

"He always liked to remind us that he played in Croke Park when he was younger for the Fermanagh underage hurling team!” Ronan explained.

"We can't quite find the evidence of that, but I was assured by a number of people at his funeral that they did indeed play, although they were beaten by Armagh by a number of points.

"This was one of his highlights."

The late John Quinn was passionate about GAA. The late John Quinn was passionate about GAA. (Image: File Photos.)Ronan said that his late father enjoyed many happy memories right up until he passed following a period of illness.

"Dad fought an illness for the past 18-months, but he was still in phenomenally good form over that period," Ronan said. "He enjoyed holidays until very recently, and as a family we enjoyed a two-week break in the Scottish Highlands in August.

"Dad was in his element; he loved rambling, dandering and living the easy life.

"Up until recently we had very good memories, and he was even at a wedding only five days before he passed. He was in very good form right up until the end."

Mr. Quinn was a dearly-loved husband of Dolores, a devoted father of Ronan and Fergal, and a much-loved brother of Mary McAneney (the late Greg), Joe (Rina), Margaret Owens (Cathal), Pat (Helen), Bernard (Carole), Kevin, Sheila Colville and the late Paul (Mary).

He will be greatly missed by nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and sisters-in-law Mary Grimley (Kieran) and Ann Maguire (Conor).