Obituary: Mr. Eric Lisk

Eric's life and Christian witness had touched many lives especially through his great love of music and his dedication and devotion to serving his Lord and Saviour.

Eric was a County Antrim man at heart and always enjoyed listening to the rich dialogue that is associated with his home County. It was at Ballyclare that he was interred on the Thursday following his passing which complied entirely with his wishes.

Ballyclare featured much in his life and he talked many times in later years about his childhood there. His attendance at Ballyclare Primary School and then on to Ballyclare High, Ballyclare Methodist Sunday School. the Methodist Church, the Christian Endeavour; his warm memories of singing in the Church Choir, teaching Sunday School, playing the organ and his friends from school days. He lovingly remembered his childhood, good upbringing and how he longed latterly to be reunited in Heaven with his brother who was called Home when Eric was just 22.

Eric had committed his life to Christ following attendance at a Mission held in Ballyclare Town Hall when he was just 10 years of age. He heard the Gospel Message and he responded something which he never regretted. When his brother passed away it was his consistent faith that helped to sustain him through what was a great loss. Welsey encouraged Eric to sing and play the piano and appreciate music in general. They used to sing together and were "best friends".

Eric spent his entire working life in the Northern (Danske Bank) in Randalstown, Newcastle, Dungannon, Fivemiletown and then Belfast where he had many friends.

It was during his time in Fivemiletown that Eric met his future wife Elizabeth (Smyth)and they got married in April 1977. Eric was devoted to Elizabeth and his home. He loved to hear about the achievements of his niece Susan, nephews David, Jonathan and their young families. He also loved his wider family circle and to talk about his Fermanagh connections.

Fermanagh played a huge part in Eric's life with both his mother and wife coming from the County. It was in Fermanagh where he spent many happy holidays with his family visiting his aunts and uncles in the Tempo and Maguiresbridge areas during his early years.

Eric and Elizabeth started off their married life living in both Lisbellaw and Fivemiletown areas before moving to live in Bangor. Eric particularly enjoyed working in Fivemiletown, being able to stay with his aunt Mrs. Margaret Watson at Clabby prior to his marriage and the many invitations to sing at various Church events brought him much pleasure. He particularly enjoyed the "Tea Meetings" that he was asked to attend round the country.

For a number of years Eric played the organ at Brookeborough Elim Church and held many happy memories of this period in his life and the friends he made there.

When Eric and Elizabeth moved to Belfast, and it was during his time attending the Crescent Church, that Eric became involved with the Torch for the Blind organisation. He faithfully attended and became involved in the Belfast Branch for many years, serving on the committee and acting as treasurer. He made many friends and just loved to attend their meetings, weekends and outings.

Eric was delighted to become a member of Ards Male Voice Testimony Choir and counted it a privilege to participate. He simply loved going to the practices on Monday nights and his musical talent in singing was much in demand. He made many friends within the Ards Male Voice Choir and through participating in Choir Festivals. He particularly enjoyed the annual trips away and the many engagements that the Choir was asked to attend.

Eric also was a member of the Bangor Buoys singing group and, once retired, participated in many engagements each month. He also took part leading the music in the New Harvest Fellowship in Bangor and on Friday mornings was involved in leading the praise at West Church Mens' Fellowship. He simply loved hearing up to 100 men singing and was delighted to be able to play the piano accordion and help lead the praise. He always spoke with much enthusiasm about these meetings and the wonderful people that he met there.

Outside these commitments he also attended solo engagements singing and sometimes ministering God's Word. He loved to be asked to sing at Missions Halls in and around Belfast and further afield. Always a privilege, never a chore. Eric was always willing and ready to go.

Eric was a very energetic person, always enthusiastic about his faith and sharing the gospel message. He was truly humble, gentle in his approach, never critical always making allowances for others and endeavouring to see their point of view. He was a true friend to many and was greatly loved by all who knew him.

Eric loved fun and laughter. He especially loved cricket and was always up to date with the scores. He also liked to relax watching golf or rugby. He loved quizzes especially Countdown. He loved his dogs and thoroughly enjoyed walking the coastal paths near his home. He loved playing his musical instruments, his organ, piano, guitar and piano accordion. He loved to sing and he loved to read. He loved to study the scriptures and he loved all types of music especially gospel and classical music. He loved to travel and he loved going on holiday.

It was in 2012, just a short time after his mother's passing, and at his busiest, that Eric became aware of changes in his health. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in September 2012 and very rapidly deteriorated so that he was no longer able to attend and participate in his musical and church commitments.

This caused him great pain as he felt that he should be doing more and he so missed his friends. Coping with the isolation that very often accompanies declining health was very challenging for him and his faith was severely tested. In recent years Eric and Elizabeth moved to the Clabby area where he was diligently and lovingly cared for at home. It was approx three weeks prior to his passing that Eric was admitted to Gillbrooke Nursing Home where he was cared for with the utmost respect and dignity.

Following Eric's interment at Ballyclare, a Service of Thanksgiving for his life was held at West Church, Bangor conducted by Rev, Dr Charles McMullan. Tributes were paid by Mr Wesley Kerr, Mr Max Gray also Susan Cailleau, Eric's niece who sent a message by video link from Poland. Susan shared special memories and sang one of Eric's favourite pieces "His Eye is on the Sparrow".

Mr Max Gray paying tribute to Eric on behalf of the various organisations that he was associated with described him as "a wonderful friend". During the service a very moving recording of Eric singing "Home Sweet Home" was played.

Wesley paid tribute to Eric from a personal level and then read a tribute from Elizabeth in which she said that Eric was her loving husband, adviser, confidant, trusted friend and that she would miss him greatly. One of Eric's favourite Bible Verses was also read Philippians 4 v 8 'Finally Brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be an virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things'. These were the attributes that Eric sought to live by.

Eric's passing leaves a huge void in Elizabeth's life also the family circle who take comfort from the fact that he is with his Saviour whom he loved to sing about and that he is now reunited with his family and friends in his Enternal Heavenly Home.