Friday, May 8, 2009

Obituary

Death of Local Historian Pat John Rafferty 07/05/2009
Tributes have been paid to popular Donaghmore teacher and local historian Pat John Rafferty who sadly passed away last Tuesday. He was aged 69.

Pat, a loyal GAA follower and amateur dramatist, was born in Carrickmore in 1940. He was educated at St. Patrick's College, Armagh and went on to Queen's University to study History. He began his teaching career in St Helen's Liverpool in 1964 before spending two years in Nigeria.

In 1970 he married. Mary and together they had four children Conor, Elish, Susan and Maeve to who sympathy is extended.

Promoting the rich cultural heritage of Tyrone, he occupied a leading role in a number of organisations including the William Carleton Summer School which was founded in 1992 and the Donaghmore Historical Society which was established in 1983.

Pat, who took up a position at St. Patrick's College, until his retirement in 1997 and his knowledge of local history combined with his talent for public speaking saw him lead tourists on specialised tours in Dungannon, his most recent in the "Return of the Earls Project."

Pat, a Dungannon Civil Rights Activist was also Bernadette Devlin's election agent and as a successful sportsman completed a total of four marathons and picked up a GAA County Championship medal with Carrickmore in 1961. He was also a member of St Patrick's Donaghmore GFC Scor Sinsear team.

Source: Tyrone Courier
Date: Wednesday 6 May 2009

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