Passing of one of Newcastle’s oldest residents closes a chapter in the history of The Strand Bakery

MR JAMES NUGENT

THE recent sad passing of one of Newcastle’s oldest residents also brought an end to a chapter in the life of one of the town’s longest established families.

Mr James Nugent, a well-known and highly respected retired baker, died peacefully at River House in Newcastle on 4 December aged 98. He was the last surviving member of a family of 13 (10 boys and 3 girls) and the last of that generation of the Nugent family.

Born on 27 May, 1913, James lived all his life in Newcastle. As a teenager, he began working as a baker with his late brother Jack Nugent in the family bakery The Strand in Newcastle.

He continued baking and helping to run the business until he decided to down his rolling pin and retire at the ripe old age of 90!

James was an excellent baker in every respect and was always the first to adapt to  changes in technology and embrace modern ideas over the years. He took great pride in passing on his vast knowledge to many young apprentices over the years.

During the war years, many people from the south of Ireland travelled to Newcastle seeking summer work and on one such occasion the late Jack Nugent employed a girl called May Fallon from outside Tuam in Galway to work in The Strand.

James fell in love at first sight. May decided to take the job on permanently and over the years their romance blossomed in the bakery with them eventually marrying in the mid-Fifties.

James and May were a happy couple and throughout the years devoted their lives to their deep religious faith, their work in The Strand and to their family of nieces and nephews.

They spent their holidays visiting May’s family home in Galway. However, it only recently became known to their Newcastle family that most of their ‘holidays’ were actually spent devoting their time at Knock Shrine in Mayo to helping with the sick and infirm.

When his brother Jack Nugent died in 1970, James became an invaluable help to Jack’s son Michael and his wife Mary who inherited the business as a third generation. James’ assistance and advice helped secure the traditional legacy of The Strand that still survives to this day in Newcastle.

James always managed to remain young at heart. He had a zest for life and a warmth that made him the centre of attraction to young and old at all family gatherings – from baffling the kids with his magic coin tricks to singing his favourite song ‘Rathfriland on the Hill’ (which he sang karaoke to on his 97th birthday!) James loved to entertain.

His interests were many and varied. Even at 98, James still took a great interest in all sports, especially Gaelic football and rugby. He was also very interested in and aware of the ever changing local and national politics.

Predeceased by his beloved May eight years ago, James moved to River House Residential home in Newcastle two years ago. Both he and his family greatly appreciated the support and wonderful care he received there from staff. Special thanks also must be paid to Dr Hyland who looked after James so considerately over his final days.

James will be sadly missed by the Nugent family, the wider family circle and the many who attended his wake and funeral which took place at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Newcastle. Burial took place afterwards at St Patrick’s cemetery in Bryansford.

James was a true legend in his own lifetime. May he rest in peace.

Popular and devoted family man

MR SEAN SLOANE

THERE was widespread sadness recently throughout the Warrenpoint area, as well as in Kilkeel on hearing of the death of Mr Sean Sloane. Sean — a popular figure, died in the early hours of 12 January aged 50.

He is survived by his wife Hilary, daughter Rebekah, and son Jason, his father John, brothers Seamus, Gerald and sisters Mary and Ann, also Micky, his sisters-in-law Donna and Bernadette. Sean is also survived by his mother-in-law Janet and father-in-law Pat, sisters-in-law Angela and Maureen along with Martin and David, his brother-in-law Tim and many nephews and nieces.

Sean is predeceased by his mother Geraldine.

Sean was first and foremost a family man with a great focus on his two children. He particularly followed the sporting and artistic talent of both Rebekah and Jason. He took great pride in Rebekah’s interest and success in Irish dancing, while following closely Jason’s emerging talent and success on the football field.

A great joiner, Sean travelled daily and worked hard to provide for his family. His skills were widely sought after and he was held in high esteem by all his work colleagues.

He was his happiest when in the company of family and friends. He had a great sense of humour and exemplified great social skills, forever enjoying the latest success in football and conversation across a wide range of topics.

His devotion to family duty extended to taking weekly trips to visit his father in Kilkeel. While in his later year his ill health curtailed many work-related activities, he wasn’t robbed of his engaging personality. He bore his illness with strength and courage, and throughout that illness, his concern was for his family. He was a familiar figure along the Warrenpoint shore walking his dog.

One of his greatest occasions towards the end of the year was celebrating his 50th birthday. It was here he was at his best — surrounded by family and friends he loved and cherished and it was here he gave them his last great memory.

His funeral was largely attended and the celebrant Fr Kearns spoke eloquently of Sean’s many gifts and talents in this world. The numerous guards of honour were indicative of the respect and admiration the family are held and a testimony to the popular figure Sean was in the area.

Sean will be sorely missed by his many friends and work colleagues.

In particular he will be missed in his father’s home in Kilkeel where his visits brought humour, joy and much love. However, nowhere will his loss be felt more than in his home in Warrenpoint. Hilary, Rebekah and Jason will miss his support, guidance and encouragement, but most of all they will miss his smile, his warm embrace and his love.

Well known Greencastle man

MR TERRY O’ROURKE

MR Terry O’Rourke of Greencastle Pier Road, Kilkeel passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday 10 January, aged 81 years.

Terry is survived by his sons Eamon, Sean and Oliver and his daughters Marie, Bernadette, Pauline, Veronica, Martina, Deirdre and Andrea, his brothers Brian and Sean and his sisters Kathleen and Veronica.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Mary and daughter Anne, his brothers Frankie, Jim and Eddie and sister Margaret.

Terry was a well known former player of Greencastle GAA Club and later an avid supporter of An Riocht GAA Club and the Down County team.

His other great passion was for horses and he had learnt the skill of a blacksmith at his late father’s forge from a very young age. Terry attended the horse fairs in Castlewellan and Ballinasloe annually.

He loved the surrounding countryside which he knew so well – from the banks of the White Water River where he formerly worked as a Rivers Agency foreman to the Mourne Mountains where he grazed his sheep right up to the late autumn of 2011. Terry was also a dedicated farmer and many benefited from his knowledge of traditional farming history and information about the local area. He had a strong faith and attended Mass regularly.

He loved the simple things in life – a good cup of tea, a game of cards and a good yarn with his many great friends and kind neighbours.

He was a central figure in the lives of his large family including his 31 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He especially loved the many family celebrations and get-togethers.

The largely attended funeral was testament to the high esteem in which Terry was held by his family, friends and neighbours. Sean made a very moving tribute to his father during the funeral service which took place in St Colman’s Church, Massforth with interment in the adjoining cemetery at which Fr Murray officiated.

Your memory is so precious, your presence missed so much, you will always be remembered and loved by all of us.

Former County Down woman

dies in Chicago

MRS ALICE McGIVNEY

MRS Alice McGivney (nee Fitzpatrick), aged 91, of Chicago, passed away on 24 January, 2012 surrounded by her family and friends.

A native of County Down, Alice was born on land near the Tory Bush Cottages, near Kilcoo. She was the beloved wife of the late Patrick and loving mother of Patrick (Jayne), Brian (Gemma), Matthew (Rhonda), Catherine (Jim Clarke), John (Pat Brown), Maureen (Tony) Krokos and the late Mary Alice and Susan Lynn. Alice is survived by her grandchildren Michael (Julia), Kyle, Eileen, Marisa, Anthony, Michelle, Meghann (Matt), Mallori, Ryan, Kathleen, Anne, Erin Krokos, Robert Krokos and little Nora.

She is also survived by her sister Ann (the late Brendan) Coughlin, her sister-in-law Mary (the late George) Jacob, her caregiver Maria Latocha, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents John and Minnie Fitzpatrick, her brothers Peter (Pat), John (Ann), Danny (Marilyn) and Patrick (Jeannette) and her sisters Mary Ellen (John) Woulfe, Kathleen (Walter) Dettman, Margaret (Jim) Bowen and Bridget (John) Murphy.

Surviving in Castlewellan are Mae O’Neill, John and Ann O’Neill (Katie, Anye and John), Maurice and Orla O’Neill (Cara and Liam).

Although much of Alice’s family left County Down so long ago, its influence never left her and she made sure all knew of its beauty and appeal.

Ballymartin farmer

MR ARCHIE JOSEPH SPENCE

MR Archie Joseph Spence of Ballykeel Road, Ballymartin, who passed away in Daisy Hill Hospital on 14 January was a well known farmer in the area. He was 83.

Mr Spence was the son of the late Archie and Isabella Spence, Ballykeel. He is survived by his sisters Jean, Birkenhead; Myrtle, Kilkeel; and brother Desmond, Greenisland; and nieces, nephews and family circle. He was predeceased by his brothers Robert and Hugh, and sisters May and Vera.

The funeral took place to Mourne Presbyterian Church, Rev Bingham and Rev Mullan officiated.