Tom Timoney - An Appreciation: 'A real gentleman, a dedicated Civil Rights activist and a devoted father'.

Tom Timoney was born to parents Jack Timoney and Sally (nee McCay) of Willow Road, Burndennett, in the parish of Leckpatrick, Co. Tyrone. In adulthood his siblings included six other brothers and six sisters. Because of his almost identical good looks, stature, and charismatic nature, both men and women nicknamed him 'Clark Gable' (1901-1960). That robust American actor, whose greatest hit was 'Gone with the Wind', was contemporaneously referred to as the 'King of Hollywood'. In recent years Tom had to grin and bear the banter and craic, when he too, became a lower-profile 'film star'. Somewhat shy and coy, he never elaborated much on those dramatic episodes. In 'This Year's Love', being too swarthy, he became a convincing Spanish fisherman, that witty and warm story focused on a lovelorn group of Irishmen who placed a personal advert in a Miami newspaper hoping to attract 'American beauties' for potential marriage. Such quickly turns into an hilarious romantic comedy as it was a long time since wedding bells rung in this fictional tiny village on the Donegal coast. In spite of many 'New World' women being enticed, things don't turn out as expected. By its end, the locals begin to see the attractiveness of the girls right next door, and those long-silenced bells begin to joyously ring out loudly, yet again. Tom attended St. Mary's Primary School, Cloughcor and St. Colman's High School, Strabane, when 'Rusty' Gallagher was principal. Over the years teachers included men, who would later become civil rights leaders, such as John Hume and the late Willie Breslin. However, Tom was mainly self-educated. Several academics, who befriended him, often remarked on his depth of knowledge in a number of disciplines and an encyclopaedic grasp of subjects, that few third-level scholars ever attain. Such was identifiable from his comprehensive library of books, which was truly internationalist in character. He was such an avid reader, smiling broadly, he permitted persistent inspectors to enter every room in the small house at Old School Lane. He was confident in the knowledge; he had long since removed TVs, considering these an unnecessary distraction from his day-time and nightly reading routine. Also on his shelves were cookery books containing instructions on Irish, Indian, Chinese, Italian etc. dishes. Such was an appropriate variety, bearing in mind that he single-handedly cared for two sons and three daughters since they were quite young. His own culinary speciality was mixed fish chowder in cream served with sliced Irish wheaten bread and real butter, over a bit of craic, helped along by a glass or two of Uisce Beatha. Little is known of Tom's CV. However, he often fondly recalled the many elderly he cared for while an auxiliary nurse, at Strabane Hospital. He jokingly talked of being frightened for his life on diverse hazardous tasks as a roofer, when in the construction trade in London. Such attracted countless fellow Irishmen, befriending many of them, especially those from the Northwest. In more recent years he was a much sought-after silver service waiter in several hotels in Derry, Donegal and his native Tyrone. In a bid to break down sectarian barriers, real or imagined, his voluntary cross-community record was exemplary. He encouraged teamwork and showed sound leadership skills in groups such as Templemore Archaeology, the October Fifth Association, the Detox4Derry Campaign, and the Derry-Spanish Project. The latter retains links to a Royal Academy in Cadiz, focusing on research to locate the mass graves of Armada soldiers and sailors, near the border and the O'Doherty Castle, Aileach Mor. All had surrendered in 1588 after being promised PoW status. Before the night-time slaughter, high ranking ship-wrecked officers and Spanish aristocrats were separated. Next day they were forced marched to Dublin and held for ransoms. Several perished from exhaustion during that long autumn trek. Although Tom was a mere seven-year-old in 1968, he became a latter-day stalwart of CRN - the Civil Rights Network - which for decades, by choice, retains a low-profile. He visited its private office at least twice a week. He fully accepted and abided by its rules on strict confidentially. On his initial offer to help a few unpaid staff, he was given a hearty Cead Mile Fáilte and a few of the movement's badges. It was apt that he was buried wearing it as such was his practice over many years. It was originally designed in '68 by Mrs. Sheila McClean, an art-teacher at Thornhill. Her husband, Dr. Raymond, a member of the Derry Citizens' Action Committee, became the first nationalist Mayor of Derry since the 1920s as a direct result of the abolition of the Londonderry Corporation. Westminster ended Gerrymandering; speedily replaced by a PR voting system. That was the movement's pivotal demand. When veterans became too old or infirm to attend marches Tom took on the CRN task of 'Standard Bearer'. At outdoor meetings and demos he unfurled the movement's flag with the black and white circular 'Oak leaf' logo of '68, at its centre. He also became a reliable and experienced driver for several veterans. Armed with his nursing skills he was an invaluable carer of Ivan Cooper. Tom assisted him at home and enabled attendance at Church of Ireland services on Sundays, and other CoI social events. For several years Ivan has required the aid of a wheelchair. Another veteran passenger, and co-founder of the SDLP, was the Nobel Laureate, John Hume. Throughout Ireland, alongside '68 vets, Tom encountered and often lobbied councillors, cross-party politicians, key civil servants, high-ranking members of the judiciary, and dined with the Irish Attorney General and his family, in addition to face to face dialogue with Taoisigh. Global farewells Before travelling to different counties Tom studied respective guides to each and obtained phrase books so as to converse abroad. He experienced Cape Verde,Turkey, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Morocco, Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Egypt. He achieved a life-goal when he walking along the Great Wall of China. All this he viewed as essential lessons on the history, arts, crafts, laws and customs beyond our own shores. Considered a strong and healthy man, Tom unexpectedly died at his home, aged 58. Using social media, within hours of his sudden passing in the early hours of January 19, messages of sympathy arrived at the CRN office, a few requiring translation. Part of a tribute from the Mexican polyglot, novelist and poet, Pablo Soler Frost read, "He was one of the truest friends I ever had. A real gentleman, a dedicated Civil Rights activist, a devoted father, a lover of poetry and music, a friend who would go to any lengths for the well-being of others." Others included reference to Tom's past visits to Spain. One read, "Tom was a dedicated and loyal supporter of our commemorative events to honour the memory of the International Brigaders from Ireland and across the world, held every February. His good humour and distinctive 'Hollywood' looks made him a friend to many of us. Suaimhneas sioraí air! Salud compañero! Viva La República!" Davy McAuley, a close comrade wrote: "It was with extraordinary sadness I learned of the death of my friend Tom. To see life taken from someone with such an incredible lust for it is truly shocking. Tom was someone to rely on. Someone who you knew you could call on in any emergency - a man who would freely give up his time to help others. "I was made homeless some years ago after my house was repeatedly attacked, my 'crime' was living in a 'Loyalist' area. On my final night in my home a mob attempted to gain entry to the property to do me serious harm. Thankfully they didn't - but it was clear staying was not an option. The person I knew I could turn to for help was Tom. "Without his help and support at that time I cannot see how I would have dealt with the situation. He helped me gather my stuff that evening and get away from an appalling situation. Over the days and weeks to come he was tireless in helping me get back on my feet. That is what Tom did - he helped people. " It concluded, "My thoughts are truly with all his children. I have rarely seen a familial bond so strong, his wains were devoted to their Daddy and he was to them. Tom Timoney - a man you don't meet everyday." Following a well-attended Requiem Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, Steelstown, the funeral cortège journeyed for interment at St. Mary's Church, Cloughcor, near his late parents' home. Slán mo chara agus comrad. Fionnbarra O'Dochartaigh, Co-founder, NICRA, 1968