Old friends look back

TRIBUTES have been flooding in for the popular past Dean of Derry, the Very Rev. George Good, who sadly passed away in recent days.

Herby Burns first got to know Rev. Good when working in the Post Office in Londonderry city centre where the Dean was a regular customer.

The pair soon became close friends and fished, sailed and played golf together for many years. It is courtesy of this friendship that the Sentinel can today print such a range of pictures depicting the late Dean in his element.

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And despite having moved to Ballymoney Mr Burns still made the visit to South Donegal to see his old friend about twice every year and last spoke to Rev. Good in person on the Monday before his death.

He said he was deeply saddened to hear he had passed away last week but was glad to have had a chance to visit him a final time before he died.

"What can I say?" asked Mr Burns. "He was a wonderful man who would have done anything for anyone when he was up in Derry."

"I got to know him first when I was working in the Post Office and he was one of the clientele. We ended up becoming friends and would go fishing in the Swilly and Lough Mask, playing golf down at Castlerock; one time twelve of us went over to Scotland and had a great time," he added.

Reminisce

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Following Rev. Good's move to the Killybegs Nursing Home a few years ago Mr Burns still made a point of visiting his old friend to reminisce about the old times.

"I was with him on the Monday before he died," he explained.

"The snow was on the ground but I got down to see him. We were telling stories about the fishing and the golf and the things he used to do and I could see him smile.

"I was vexed when I heard he died but glad I got to see him that time," said Mr Burns. "But as I said to his sister when I heard, 'he had a good innings'."

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Rev. Good served as Dean of Derry between 1967 and 1984 during the worst years of the Troubles and was pivotal in establishing the Cathedral Youth Club in the Fountain - one of the many legacies of a lifetime of community and pastoral service.

Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Ken Good earlier said: "Very many people throughout the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe have been greatly saddened to hear the news of the death of Dean George Good.

"George Good had the unusual distinction of serving as Dean of Raphoe (1962-1967) as well as Dean of Derry (1967-1984). His friendly disposition, his warm interest in people and his active involvement in community life meant that he was widely known and respected by many.

"Dean Good made a major contribution to diocesan life, as well as to the parishes where he served - including Portnoo, which also became his home after retirement - but his sphere of influence went far beyond the Church of Ireland, and there will be a great number of people who now mourn his passing."

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