Yorkshire native who fell in love with Banbridge

A FORMER military man from Yorkshire who came to adopt Banbridge as his second home, has died after a period of illness.

Mr John Kenneth Hague passed away at his home at 11 Iveagh Drive on April 27.

Born and brought up in in Basildon, Shipley West Yorkshire, he was the dearly loved husband of the former Miss Sharon Ervine to whom he had been married for 15 happy years.

A member of the Prince of Wales Regiment, he was posted to Northern Ireland on a tour of duty and liked the area so much that he resigned from his regiment and came to live here, later joining the Ulster Defence Regiment.

Sadly, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and had to stand down from the regiment but he used the opportunity to become involved with the Open University, taking an Honours Degree and then a Masters Degree in Victorian History.

Described as a man of many sterling qualities, he was held in the highest respect by all those who knew him.

Mr Hague was a member of Derrydrumuck True Blues 725 and was a Sir Knight in King Solomon’s Rising Star RBP 402 Loughbrickland, but his main interest was centred around his home and family.

He is survived by his wife Sharon, mother May (England), father-in-law and mother-in-law Jim and Kathleen Ervine (Glascar), brother-in-law David and two sisters-in-law, Hilary and Stephanie. To these and all other relatives, sincere sympathy has been extended.

The funeral, which was largely attended, took place in Loughbrickland Presbyterian Church and was conducted by the Rev Patricia McBride and Rev David Silverside.

The hymns ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ and ‘Just As I Am’ were sung, with Mr William Chambers presiding at the organ. Interment took place in the adjoining churchyard and former UDR comrades paid the final tribute by dropping poppies into the grave.

Family flowers were placed and donations in lieu of flowers are being sent to William Bell and Co. Funeral Directors, 23 Kenlis Street,

Banbridge, BT32 3LR, for Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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