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News
Death of long serving verger and caretaker at Enniskillen Cathedral
Mr. Jack Watson.
Mr. Jack Watson, who served as caretaker, sexton and the Dean’s Verger at St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen for almost 56 years as well as serving as a Diocesan Reader in Clogher Diocese for many years, before retiring in 2018, has died.
His funeral service took place earlier today in St. Macartin's Cathedral, conducted by Dean Kenneth Hall with the Bishop of Clogher, Right Revd Dr. Ian Ellis; Revd Lorraine Capper, Director of Ordinands and Revd Edwin Aiken, Curate, also taking part.
Jack, who is survived by his wife, Ethel and three daughters, Mae, Carol and Ruth, was predeceased by his son, Jonathan, just a few days prior.
The service included readings by two grand-daughters and a solo by another grand-daughter, Lauren Kells.
Hymns included 'Love Divine' and 'Nearer, my God to thee.' The organist, Glenn Moore and the Cathedral Choir led the singing.
The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Clogher.
Dean Hall in a tribute, recalling Jack's long number of years of service, said that in his time as caretaker, sexton and verger, he had attended an estimated 9000 services in addition to almost 500 weddings and hundreds of funerals. His work as caretaker involved cutting the grass with a scythe and clipping hedges by hand.
He also had to manage the heating system which for many years was fuelled with coke with up to 25 tons of coke required each year and Jack had to carry what was required to keep the fire burning, down the steps to the furnace, three times per day. Ashes had also to be removed daily. Oil firing was then introduced in 1993.
Jack’s role as Dean’s Verger, a ceremonial role to precede visiting dignatories when taking their seats and escorting them to the Reading Desk or Pulpit if they were participating in the services, was also performed with great professionalism and dignity, said Dean Hall. These included the visit in 2012 of Her Majesty, The Queen.
Following the service, Jack was buried in Colaghty Parish Churchyard, Lack.