Sam Ferson

The death occurred on Monday, January 27, of Sam Ferson, a native of Dungiven Co. Derry and resident of Lecanvey, Westport for the past 33 years.
Aged 85 years he passed away suddenly and peacefully at Mayo General Hospital.  
Sam was one of eleven in family and was predeceased by his father and mother, John and Elizabeth Ferson, Dungiven Co. Derry, his brothers George, Jack and Albert, Dungiven and Bristol.
He left his beloved Dungiven at an early age to seek work in England where he met his beloved wife Bridget. They married on July 10th 1954 and settled in Gloucester. Working many jobs from tunnelling to motorway work Sam provided well for his family and holidayed every summer in the Thallabawn area where he was made so welcome by the community there. He loved fishing from a child and would be seen often with rod in hand heading towards the Carrowniskey and Bunowen rivers where five or six hours would pass before he would regretfully head home.
Sam moved to Westport in 1974 when he opened a butcher shop and small café on Bridge Street. There he got to know and was made welcome by the Westport people. In 1981 he moved his family to Lecanvey where he spent so many happy years with great friends and neighbours. Retiring early Sam kept himself busy gardening and picking winkles along the sea shore. The evenings were spent visiting, fishing or playing card games that he attended from Killadoon to Westport. In later life Sam spent his time devoted to his wife Bridget and his family. Following Bridget’s illness Sam lovingly gave all his time to her.
Sam will be sadly missed by Bridget, his wife of almost 60 years, his daughters Rosemarie, Bernadette, Donna and his son David, daughter-in-law Carol, sons-in-law Padraig and John, Donna’s partner Mark, 15 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, extended family and friends.
His wake took place at his home in Lecanvey and friends and neighbours formed a Guard of Honour at his removal from Sweeney’s Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church Lecanvey. Funeral mass was conducted by Fr. Paddy Gill and he was buried in Murrisk Abbey Cemetery.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.