Carrickmore’s ‘key player’ laid to rest

“JIMMY was a solid citizen who could hold a whole community together.”

These were the words of Father Peter McAnenly as hundreds gathered at St Colmcille’s Church in Carrickmore for the Requiem Mass of Jimmy Fox on Thursday morning.

Mr Fox, who was a well-known undertaker and publican in Carrickmore, passed away last Monday.

Leading the funeral service, Fr McAnenly said that the community of Carrickmore was feeling a ‘great sense of loss’ and still trying to come to terms with Mr Fox’s sudden passing.

He said, “I wish I could have bottled up at least half of the stories I have been told about Jimmy Fox in the past few days.

“So many people have said that he was a key player here in the life of our local community.”

Fr McAnenly told the congregation that Mr Fox held a keen interest in business since a young age.

He recalled that Mr Fox ran a shop and bakery in the village for a number of years, as well as having worked in the Corner Bar in the late-1980s.

For the last 35 years, Mr Fox was best remembered for his work as an undertaker and proprietor of The Old Charm Inn.

‘EXCEPTIONAL’

“Jimmy gave employment to many and provided food for all sorts of events and functions in The Old Charm Inn,” explained Fr McAnenly. “Jimmy and his staff have always given exceptional service.

“Throughout those years, he also became very well-known and well-respected as an undertaker.

“It was he who took control and looked after funeral arrangements for so many over the years with a totally professional and dignified approach.

“Jimmy was the sort of man who would often say ‘leave it with me’ if someone was in need.”

Fr McAnenly concluded that, “Of all things, above all else, Jimmy was a great family man.

“Last Friday, he was seen in Dunnes Stores with a trolley full of Easter eggs for his grandchildren.

“The previous Tuesday night, I had a cup of tea with him and he was full of chat, banter and craic.

“As we gather today, we pray that Jimmy enjoys being reunited with his wife, Briege.”

Mr Fox was husband of the late Briege (McCallan); son of the late Paddy and Annie (Dobbs); devoted father of Tracey (Declan), Aaron (Angie), Peadar (Steise), Kelley (Ronan) and Connie (Kevin); twin of the late Tony (Mary); brother of Peter (Rita, RIP), Pat (Kathleen), Francie (Mary B), Rosie (Brian), Brian (Anne) and the late Johnny; and loving grandfather of 20 grandchildren.

He was laid to rest in St Colmcille’s Cemetery, Carrickmore.