The death has occurred peacefully at the South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen of William Ronald Mark (Ronnie) Farrell of Clifton Lodge, Lisnaskea.

Ronnie passed away on January 31, his birthday, aged 84 years. He was born on January 31st 1936 in Mullinaburtlin, Lisnaskea to the late William and Adelaide Farrell. Ronnie was educated at the Moate Primary School in Lisnaskea. He briefly worked in his father’s business, the FDH Stores before following his love for farming, becoming a first generation farmer with assistance from his parents when the family moved to Cushwash during wartime.

When Ronnie was eleven, his parents bought a cow to graze a field. The cow had a heifer calf which was kept and soon both cows were milking. The farm grew, land being acquired over time to almost 350 acres at its peak, with 200 dairy cows and 250 heifers, poultry and pigs.

Ronnie became involved in farming politics from a young age and joined the Ulster Farmers’ Union. He was Fermanagh County Chairman, then represented the county on the executive in Belfast before being asked to join the President’s team.

This culminated in Ronnie becoming UFU President in 1989-1990, representing the farming community in Northern Ireland in Brussels and London. He was always determined during his time in office to represent the Fermanagh farmer and the farmers in N Ireland.

Ronnie also served on the Milk Marketing Board and became Chairman of the Dairy Council, in which capacity he presented a young David Beckham, captain of Manchester United youth, with the Milk Cup in 1991. He also was a member of the Agricultural Trust and served on the Fisheries Board, organisations which allowed him to travel the world to see new innovative farming methods from North America, Europe and the Far East.

Away from farming, he was High Sheriff for Fermanagh in 1994 and served briefly on Fermanagh County Council in the early 1970s. He was a past Worshipful Master of Fawney LOL 329, a member of Lisnaskea RBP True Blues and also the Crichton Masonic Lodge.

Ronnie was a faithful member of Lisnaskea Methodist Church his whole life, serving as pew steward and also an active member of the Upper Erne Quarterly Board and was still involved in church meetings and events until just before his passing.

He loved serving his local community and was Chairman of Lisnaskea Fairs and Markets Committee until recently, taking great interest in his local town.

Ronnie enjoyed rallying with his brother Percy in his early days and later in life, became a keen gardener. He took great pleasure in the two year restoration project for his home, Clifton Lodge.

Ronnie’s popularity and the high esteem in which he was held was very evident at his widely attended funeral service at Holy Trinity Church, Lisnaskea on Sunday, February 2 2020, followed by his interment in the adjoining churchyard. The service was conducted by Lay Pastoral Assistant Mr Ian Graham and Rev Eleanor Hayden and the Rev Daphne Hanna also

contributed. The readings were delivered by his sons Adrian and Roderick. The chosen hymns were “Love Divine All Love Excelling”, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “Will Your Anchor Hold in the Storms of Life.”

He is survived by his wife Betty, two sons Adrian and Roderick, his daughters-in-law Carolyn and Joanne, his grandchildren Matthew, Daniel, Aimee, Kate, Charlotte, Lauren and James and his brother Percy. He will be very sadly missed by all his family and family circle.

The funeral arrangements were by Mr N Robinson, Dowler’s Funeral Services, 7 Cherryhill, Gortacharn, Lisnaskea.