Mourners remember Bertie’s good humour and witty banter

FAMILY, friends and loved ones gathered in St Patrick’s Church in Dungannon on Friday to mourn the passing of Bertie Foley.

In a poignant service remembering the highly respected Dungannon man, Mr Foley was described as a man who “ran the race to the finish with his constant good humour and witty banter.”

A beloved husband of Dana and father of Joseph, Nuala and Lara, Mr Foley was a man of many vocations and passionate about his work in the community.

Two guards of honour stood before the procession on behalf of St Patrick’s Primary School in Ardboe – where Bertie worked for many years as principal – and the deceased’s much-beloved Dungannon Clarkes, of which he was chairman.

A keen historian, Bertie served on the committee with Donaghmore Historical Society for almost 19 years and played an important role in many of the society’s achievements over those years.

In a statement issued by Donaghmore Historical Society following his passing, they explained, “One of Bertie’s most notable successes was his heartfelt leadership of the campaign to raise awareness of the existence of the burial ground of Dungannon Workhouse and this came to fruitation in summer 2022 when a memorial stone as officially unveiled on the site.”

Also a passionate sportsman who promoted Gaelic football throughout Dungannon and Ardboe, Tyrone GAA released a statement saying, “A kindly and very illuminating light has gone out for Gaelic Tyrone, for everybody in it, and for places and people far from here, with the sudden death of our own dear Bertie Foley, forever from, in, of and for, Dungannon and Tyrone.

“A giant of our times as a club man, coach, educator, family man, Gael, historian and volunteer, Bertie’s legacies are far-reaching and deep.

“Most historians study history. Bertie studied it well. And to our eternal benefit, he also made it.”

Mr Foley will be remembered by those who knew him as a ‘ready’ and ‘willing’ volunteer for whatever needed done and will be always be remembered through the ‘Bertie Foley Cup’ in Ardboe.