Published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2009 5:00pm

Canon James Robert

THERE was general sadness at the death of Canon James Robert (Jim) Sides, late of 1 Goldsmith Meadow, Edgeworthstown, which occurred in Laurel Lodge Nursing Home, Longford on Thursday, December 10. He had been ill for over a year with mesothelioma, the form of lung cancer caused by asbestos.

Canon Jim Sides was born on July 21, 1937 at Carrickmore Rectory before moving with his family to Sixmilecross when he was two years old. At the age of 16, be started an apprenticeship at Harland and Wolf Shipyard in Belfast before five years later he joined the ministry. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin in 1966 and was ordained the following year. He got married in 1968 to Margaret Burrows on August 10, 1968. After a three year curacy in the Down and Dromore Diocese and a second three year curacy in Antrim in Connor Diocese; he moved to Tomregan Parish, Ballyconnell in 1973.

He was best known in Co. Fermanagh for his time as Rector of Florencecourt from January 1980 to August 1997. In 1998, he was installed as Canon of Kilmore Cathedral and served a further nine years of ministry in the Kildrumferton group of parishes, which comprise Crosserlough, Ballyjamesduff and Ballymachugh in Co. Cavan from 1997 to August 2006 before retiring in 2006.

During his time in the parish of Kildrumferton he and his wife Margaret became very active in a number of local organisations in Kilnaleck including the Kilnaleck and District Co-op where both were members of the board, which effectively ran the co-op. Another area in which he and his wife were active was on the Kilnaleck Social Services Committee.

Canon Sides will be remembered for his contribution to social issues as well as his cross-community contribution in whichever parish he was assigned and was greatly respected by all he served.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret; children, Elizabeth, Patricia and Philip; and was brother of Michael, Margaret, Richard and Christopher.

The reception service of remains was held in St. John's Church, Edgeworthstown and the funeral service took place in St. John's Church, Florencecourt, followed by burial in the adjoining churchyard. Canon Sides wife's cousin Bishop Michael Burrows spoke at the reception service and Right Rev Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh gave an address at the funeral service. Both spoke of his practical as well as his spiritual side.

Bishop Clarke said: "Canon Sides served with faithfulness and dedication and will be remembered for a very long time by those who knew him as their rector.

He was also a family man and a devoted father and husband and had given his wife Margaret and the children many memories to cherish and enjoy."