Enda Maguire, Teemore

In his inaugural address, the late John F. Kennedy exhorted: 'Ask not what your country can do for you; ask only what you can do for your country.' On Tuesday last, in St. Ninnidh"s Church, at the end of the funeral Mass for Enda Maguire, a similar sentiment was expressed in the "Reflection"; it suggested that 'How did he live?' and 'How did he give?' were much more appropriate barometers of a person"s worth and contribution than 'How did he die?'. There could be no more fitting tribute to Enda"s time among us than the way in which he lived his 33 years on this earth: he enjoyed life to the full; very few people ever had as many friends - true friends, who supported him loyally through his illness; his infectious enthusiasm for life and friendship made him universally popular; his happy-go-lucky personality and approach to others endeared him to all who knew him; and his support for his parents and his siblings made him an icon within his family circle. Enda was born on April 1, 1976, the eldest of the six children to Bernadette (Bernie Quinn) and Brian Maguire. Throughout his time at St. Mary"s Primary School, Teemore, St. Aidan"s, Derrylin and St. Michael"s College, Enniskillen, it was abundantly clear that Enda was a bright young lad but his interest in scholarship was limited. He was a doer rather than a theorist, and he soon abandoned the academic life. But his innate intelligence continued to shine and he proved to be a first class employee, initially as a barman in Belfast, and later as an employee of the Quinn Group, where he was promoted to a supervisory position in the Glass plant before moving to a managerial role in the Packaging company, where he was working when his illness struck. There is little doubt that he had a great future in business, for which he appeared eminently suited. Over the years Enda developed a huge interest in sport, playing football for Teemore Shamrocks at all levels from under-14 to senior. Whatever he may have lacked in skill, he more than compensated for with courage, commitment and determination, proving once again that it is not always those with the most talent who make the greatest contribution. Fittingly, and despite the heavy rain of that evening, the Shamrocks honoured his contribution to the club with a massive guard of honour at his removal; it was supplemented by similar tributes from the pupils of St. Mary"s (which his sons, Callum and James, now attend), St. Aidan"s and current county senior champions, St. Patrick"s, Donagh, for whom his wife, Tina, played, as did several other members of the Cadden family. A snooker and soccer fan, Enda found time despite his illness to organise a trip to Old Trafford for himself and five of his closest friends after Christmas, a trip they all enjoyed immensely. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of both soccer and Gaelic and could recount all the season-turning goals of Manchester United"s recent history, as well as all Teemore"s and Fermanagh"s performances over the past decade and more. No wonder then that, on his final journey, his coffin was draped with Teemore and Manchester United jerseys for company. When his parents needed support at home, Enda came back to Fermanagh, where he met and married one of his work colleagues, Tina Cadden from Donagh. They bought a house and settled in Teemore, and they had already started to build a new house outside the settlement when Enda died. His death was not unexpected. He had been diagnosed with terminal cancer at the end of October and given a maximum of three months to live. By then, Tina was expecting their fourth child, who was due almost six months later. Enda showed true grit and determination in deciding that he was going to live to see the baby and, of course, he lived to see the baby girl he had wanted so much. For the last month of his life, Myia was his little Princess. Never once in the six months over which he lived with his illness, did Enda complain or bemoan his fate. He hoped and prayed for a miracle, even though he understood that his chances were remote. He showed tremendous respect for and gratitude towards his doctors, the nurses (especially Mary) and, particularly, Fr. Boylan, with whom he developed a very strong friendship. But most of all, he appreciated the support of the many friends who visited him regularly throughout his illness. Wherever he went, Enda was popular because he had a great attitude. He was kind and gentle, when that was what was needed; he was also strong and resilient, when that was necessary. He was intelligent, witty and quick-witted, well-read and knowledgeable, comfortable in any company and a good story teller, but modest, mature and self-effacing. No wonder he had so many friends, as the enormous attendances at his wake, removal and funeral testified - probably the biggest such attendances ever, in South Fermanagh. But most of all, Enda Maguire was a great family man - a loving husband to Tina, a wonderful father to Callum, James, Reece and, latterly, to Myia; an outstanding son to Brian and Bernie; a very supportive brother to Liam, Orla, Noreen, Áine and Rory; and a much appreciated by his wider family circle. Those who will miss him most may take some consolation from the fact that he will know no more suffering and that he is now in a far, far better place, but he is still a huge loss. It is tempting to say, 'Ní bhéidh a leithéid aris ann' (We will not see his like again), but we can always live in the hope that, as a result of his life and his achievements, some of those he has left behind will scale new heights, enhancing his memory in the process. Go ndéana Dia trocaire ar a anam uasal.