It is with great sorrow that An Coiste Chontae Thír Eoghain learn of the passing of our fellow member Fergus Harte, delegate for the Coalisland Fianna club.
Fergus was a valued member of our County Committee, someone who represented the views of Coalisland Fianna passionately and always had the best interests of Tyrone GAA at heart. We extend our sympathies to his wife Bernie, his children Rebekah and Shane, the entire Harte family circle as well as the Coalisland GAA community.
Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí air agus ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Coalisland Fianna paid tribute to their friend and member Fergus below.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts and profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend and Vice-Chairman Fergus Harte after a long but courageous battle with illness. Fergie has been ever present around Coalisland Fianna for many years and will always be engrained in the life and soul of the club and in everything we do. Fergie was Ladies Chairman for many years, has been the Clubs Vice-Chairman since 2018 along with holding the County delegate position, and there was no better man to represent Coalisland Fianna Fergie was a man you saw everywhere around our club; he was there morning, noon and night and there wasn’t a day went by that he didn’t come through the big blue gates always finding a job to do.
For Fergie, no job was too big or too small; he was a man that got things done, without any fuss, and usually before most of us were even out of bed in the mornings. Anything you saw around our grounds or at any of our events, Fergies fingerprints were all over it. From organising the Big breakfasts, Light up Na Fianna, sorting out the field signs, club lotto, cleaning the changing rooms & hall, car parking on match days, getting sponsorship for all Fianna fundraisers and helping to set up and clean up afterwards, Fergie was always there ready and willing to help. He was always on the go, never one for sitting with the feet up or hands in his pockets and even in the last few days he was opening the hall and updating the sign at the front of the club. He was a people person, always enjoying the craic and talking to just about everyone who passed him. I was told recently that he was their right-hand man when it came to anything Coalisland Fianna related, but I think it would be fair to say he was everyone’s right-hand man.
In 2018, the year our seniors won the championship, Fergie was voted Clubperson of the Year along with his brother Eddie, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame the same year. Fergie was so proud and humble to receive the award, with it made all the more special to be able to stand and receive his award next to his brother Eddie. And just a few short months ago, Fergie himself joined Eddie in the Hall of Fame for 2022. To my knowledge, they are the only brothers who are in the Coalisland Fianna Hall of Fame. With Fergie no longer with us, but never to be forgotten, he will be missed by everyone that knew him, whether it was a call to the house, a quick phone call, WhatsApp message or even just seeing him pass you in the big white van with the sunglasses on and a few beeps of the horn for good measure. His strength and positive attitude will be an inspiration to us all.
A hole has been left in our club, but an even bigger hole has been left in the Harte family. To his wife Bernie, daughter Rebekah and son Shane we extend our heartfelt sympathies to you all and we will stand with you and support you over the coming days, weeks, months and years to help guide you through this difficult time. Fergie was more than good to all of us now it’s only fitting we repay that favour to you.”
By Rory Cox Fri 21st Jul
