In memory of Owen Douglas

In life each one of us can have an influence on the lives of other people, just as Christ had an influence on each of us.   Because of Christ’s influence, we belong to Him whether alive or dead. Scripture reminds us that a time comes for our departure. In Owen’s case he fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. We are reminded by St. Paul of Christ’s death and resurrection and his gaining salvation for each of us. He stands at God’s right hand and pleads our cause.

Our Gospel story is that beautifully consoling passage from St. John reminding us that there are many rooms in our father’s house. We are welcome; there is an open invitation to come follow him. We are reminded of Christ’s own words, “I have called you by name; you are mine”. He accepts us as we are, provided we acknowledge that ‘Christ is the way, the truth and the life’.

When a person lives there is a story to be told. In fact each of us has a unique story to tell - the story of his/her life. 

Owen Douglas or Oweny as he was known was born and raised in Portadown along with his two sisters and five brothers. After meeting Rose at an early age they later married and eventually settled in Gilford before moving to Tullylish.

Owen had various employment over the years but in the last one in Tayto he had a bad fall and was never right after it, having said that you wouldn’t have known there was anything wrong

If you met him as he always had a joke or two ready and waiting. I always enjoyed those yarns when I visited Oweny and Rose every month bringing them holy communion.

He tended to go through life like that and nothing gave him more pleasure than seeing people having a good old laugh, at the end of the day he proved he couldn’t hack it without Rosie as he has followed her only days after she departed ,God Rest Her.

He was a good father and husband and will be sorely missed by those he left behind. May he rest in peace.

Today then we bid farewell to Owen. Despite your sense of loss, you will face the future with courage and hope, knowing that that is what he would want you to do. We comfort one another in the sure confidence that for Owen life has changed, not ended. We also derive comfort from the conviction that he is at peace with God after all his infirmity in recent years.

But if we are sad today, there is also much to be thankful for. We are grateful for the life he did have, grateful for all the joy he brought into your lives. For you his loving family there’s the comfort of knowing that you were able to show him throughout him life how much you all cared for him and appreciated him.

I extend our sympathy today to his loving family, son Terry, daughters Jean, Sandra, Marie and Christine, daughter in law Cathy, son in law Dave, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the entire family circle.