There has been widespread sadness expressed following the death of Mr. John Wesley Gordon Acheson, who died peacefully at home recently surrounded by his loving family.

Born on April 26, 1950 to mother Ivy (nee Irwin) and father Willie Robert, he was christened John Wesley Gordon but thereafter was known as Gordon.

Gordon was born in Conagher, the fourth of five children preceded by his sister Ida (Byers), the late Elsie (Walker), the late William and followed by his brother Ivan.

A man of many faces, an independent sole who enjoyed solitude, covering many a mile in his solo travels but by contrast he loved meeting people, loved a party and loved his family.

A fascination with the curious, new or different took him on many the adventure; from places, possessions and people he collected them all.

Adventurous was his nature, usually the mischief maker and a great story teller, often the madder the idea the more gusto he approached it with.

Gordon's early years growing up on the family farm surrounded by fields, mountains and loughs would give him a lifelong love and breadth of knowledge for the countryside and the flauna and flora that filled it. He received his early education at Doagh School and then went on to Enniskillen Intermediate School.

Gordon was creative, a gifted artist and also a skilled carpenter but he chose to join the Civil Service and went straight into employment after leaving school in Enniskillen, later he moved to Belfast.

After a number of years, he returned to Enniskillen where he would work in the Crown Buildings until he retired. A man that was generous with his time and knowledge in this field would help friends and neighbours alike, filling out forms, giving advice and preparing accounts.

In 1974, Gordon went to a social in the Assembly Rooms in Garrison where he met the love of his life, Joan Armstrong.

In 1975, with the situation in Northern Ireland becoming untenable, Gordon decided to join the Ulster Defence Regiment, a decision that was almost to cost him his life. On June 25, 1978, on patrol with the UDR, his unit was ambushed near Scribbagh Post Office, outside Garrison, leaving Gordon badly wounded and his best friend Pte Alan Ferguson murdered.

With his wedding to Joan only a couple of weeks away it was unsure if it would go ahead. However, the wedding did go ahead and on September 16, 1978, Gordon married Joan in Garrison Parish Church. Together they set up home in Beech Hill, Cavanaleck, later they moved to Derrygonnelly Main Street where they would set up home with their three children.

Auctions were another draw for Gordon, with a keen eye he sought out antiques and collectors' items from the various auction houses all over the county, always on the lookout for a bargain.

He joined the Disabled Soldiers Association and he and Joan would continue to make new friends, attend dinners and go on holidays all over Europe. Around this time, he joined the Royal British Legion, where in good health, he rarely missed a Saturday night.

After his retirement, Gordon would become a case worker for the British Legion. He also became a member of the Little Paris Group. devoting his time to helping his fellow victims.

Gordon also became a member of the South East Fermanagh Federation in the early days and then went on to become a director and general part of the furniture in the Ely Centre. He was committed to providing support to ex-service personnel, disabled soldiers and innocent victims.

An active member of all the associations he belonged to; Gordon spearheaded many initiatives and events, even meeting the late Queen.

In 1997, Gordon had a malignant tumour in his right tear duct which was removed in Altnagelvin Hospital. In 2013, he discovered he had cancer of the jaw bone and commenced treatment for the disease which resulted in him having a stroke, once more his life changed forever.

Cared for by his loving wife Joan until the end, he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Gordon leaves behind him his wife Joan, daughters Janice (Mark), Lorraine (Neil) and son William (Rachel) and his grandchildren Ross, Oliver, Martha, Sophie, William, Grace and Daniel who was born days before his grandad passed away.