Mr James (Jim) Foster
Editorial Department • Published 16 Feb 2012 13:00
Mr James (Jim) Foster of Tonyloman, Bellanaleck passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at the Erne Hospital, Enniskillen on January 19, 2012, aged 93.
Jim was born at Kinglass, Macken, Enniskillen on September 15, 1918, the second child and elder son of George Blair Foster and his wife Elizabeth (née Breen). His sister Ruby Bell and brother George both predeceased him, but he is survived by his younger sister Myra Perrott who resides at Drumgay, Enniskillen.
Following his formal education at Stragowna school, Kinawley, Jim worked on his parents' farm. In 1941, Jim served for six months with the Ulster Special Constabulary, at the time of the Belfast Blitz. He then returned to farming in Fermanagh, and subsequently joined the security services part-time.
Throughout the Second World War, there was an ever increasing demand for cereal crops and Jim undertook agricultural contracting, ploughing for many farmers in the Fermanagh area. It was during this time that he met his late wife Ivy Margaret (née Dowler) and in due course, on Wednesday August 22, 1945, they married in Enniskillen Methodist Church, Darling Street.
It was a long and happy marriage and they were delighted to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 1995. Jim and Ivy set up home at Culkey, Enniskillen where Tony, Ethné and Robert were born. In 1951 the family moved to Tonyloman, Bellanaleck, into a house where the Rev John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, had once preached.
As well as having a keen interest in farming, Jim was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable market gardener and on numerous occasions won prizes at the local county show. He also served for many years as steward in the vegetable section of the show.
Jim was active in his local community, for many years playing the tenor drum in Bellanaleck Pipe Band and was a member and officer of Bellanaleck LOL 1567. A memorable event in Jim's life was when Bellanaleck band was invited to London to lead the House of Commons' Orange Lodge in their annual parade to St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square.
Jim took a keen interest in several sporting activities and successfully competed in many badminton and bowls' tournaments.
Probably one of the interests which gave Jim most pleasure, apart from his church and family, was fishing. He loved to interact with the visiting fishermen when they called at the house for a boat to fish on the local lake. Whilst many of them were local, quite a few were from the United Kingdom and further afield. He was pleased when young people showed a keen interest in his hobbies and this eventually led to him being asked to tutor at a number of fly fishing summer schools in the Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen.
Over the years Jim made many faithful friends. He worked closely with his neighbours in the farming community frequently sharing his knowledge of livestock and the operation and repair of farm machinery. Jim was regularly in attendance at Tonyloman Methodist Church where he served as Society Steward for 16 years until its closure in 1997. He then worshipped in Darling Street Church, Enniskillen where he is fondly remembered and held in high esteem. His church life was important to him and he practised his faith in a personal, gentle and unassuming way.
As Jim became less mobile, he enjoyed sitting by the window, and watching the many birds that frequented the garden and bird table. On one occasion, over five months ago, when feeding the birds, he fell, sustaining a head injury. He was taken urgently to the Erne hospital and subsequently transferred to the RVH, Belfast, where he underwent surgery. After a short time, he was returned to the Erne Hospital for further treatment and to convalesce. The dedication and care of Dr Kelly and the nursing staff of Ward 8 were second to none and much appreciated by the family. Jim had been looking forward to returning home but, in the early hours of Thursday, January 19, 2012, he passed peacefully into the presence of his Lord.
Jim is survived, and lovingly remembered, by his sons Tony (Bellanaleck) and Robert (Annahilt), his daughter Ethné Elliott (Armagh), his son-in-law Alan and daughter-in-law Sylvia, grandchildren Claire and Roberta (and husband Barry Daniel) and great-grand-children Harry and Sarah. Also surviving Jim are his sister Myra Perrott, nieces, nephews, cousins and the wider family circle.
The service of thanksgiving for Jim's life was conducted by Rev Sam McGuffin in Darling Street Methodist Church and was well attended. The hymns were "O Lord My God when I in awesome wonder", "What a Friend we have in Jesus" and "When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound". The burial took place in Cleenish Parish Churchyard, Bellanaleck followed by tea in the Parish hall.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to S R Elliott and Sons, Funeral Directors, Darling Street, Enniskillen.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 16 Feb 12
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