Highly respected community worker passes

Jim, who was born in 1945, was widely known as one of two founders of ‘Country Comes To Town’ (CCTT) at the turn of the Millennium – he was administration secretary to chairman Mervyn Carrick.

He received the MBE in 2011, having been involved in various community associations, including Birches and TADA (Tyrone, Antrim, Down and Armagh).

Jim lived at Wentworth Green on the Tandragee Road, having been brought up in Clonroot and latterly living in the Birches area before moving into Portadown.

He is survived by wife Roberta, son Kenneth, daughters Gemma, Ceara and Claire, as well as a number of grandchildren.

Through CCTT, Jim, Mervyn and the various members throughout the years had forged close ties with similar groups down south, particularly in Ballina, County Mayo.

A number of friends from Ballina are due to attend Thursday’s funeral at Thomas Street Methodist Church (1pm), conducted by Rev Rev Ken Robinson – burial at St Saviour’s (Dobbin) Churchyard.