Fergus was a modest and highly talented individual
FERGUS HEMMINGWAY was born on March 18 1951. Twin brother of Austin, he was eldest of a family of six – four boys and two girls. He was reared on the family farm in Ballinlug, where, as a young boy he didn’t have the usual boys’ interests in driving tractors and following machinery.
Instead Fergus was much more interested in tending the farm animals, poultry, vegetables and flowers.
He attended Killanne National School from 1957-63, where Mrs Binions was the only teacher in a one-teacher school.
He attended Kilkenny College as a boarder from 1963-69 and Warrenstown Agricultural College 1969-70.
He studied Agriculture in UCD from 1970-74 and qualified with a B.Agr.Sc degree in 1974. While in UCD he spent the summer holidays working on the farm of Fazakerly Hospital in Liverpool.
His Auntie Beck worked in the hospital and secured a holiday job for him on the hospital farm. When his auntie retired she came back to Ireland and bought a house at 33 Belfield Road, Enniscorthy. Fergus moved in with her at that time and when she passed away Fergus took ownership of the house and this is where he lived for the rest of his days.
In 1975 Fergus secured his first job as a temporary agricultural advisor in Wexford and other than a very short stint across the border in Carlow he spent the rest of his working life in County Wexford as an agricultural advisor.
He retired five years ago on May 31 2011 after 36 years of service.
To his colleagues in Teagasc he was a very popular member of staff and a former colleague who worked with him all those years said he had never heard a bad word spoken about him.
As a drystock/tillage advisor he had a very good relationship with all his farmer clients. His job entailed implementing many schemes which were complex, bureauocratic and legalistic, but Fergus had the ability to reduce them down to simple basics for his farmer clients.
He did what had to be done and no more, but didn’t compromise himself or the scheme but was fearlessly on the farmer’s side in trying to get whatever benefits could be got. On many farm visits due to his huge knowledge of flowers, shrubs and vegetables he was very often taken aside by the farming wives for advice in the garden or vegetable patch.
Outside of work his creativity found him partaking in three main areas – amateur drama, flower arranging and Carrigbyrne Pikemen choir.
On the amateur drama front he was seen on many stages both locally and far away. If he wasn’t performing he was helping with setting up the stage.
He very much enjoyed being an active member of the Carrigbyrne Pikemen Choir group and was very busy this year with all the 1916 celebrations.
The flower arranging was his biggest hobby and the reason many people knew him. He was a member and treasurer of the County Wexford Garden and Flower Club and Chairman of the Floral Art Group. He qualified as an AOIFA (Association of Irish Floral Artists) demonstrator and teacher. He travelled the length and breadth of the country giving flower arranging demonstrations often travelling home in the early hours of the morning to be in time for work.
He has taught many people the art of flower arranging, not only in County Wexford, but in many clubs across the Country. Whenever a stand or prop was required, either for a festival or a club member entering a competition, Fergus made it. He was a mechanical genius.
He also co-ordinated many flower festivals. His first one was in the Cathedral in Waterford and many more followed – Templeshanbo, Ballindaggin, St Aidan’s Enniscorthy, Myshal, to mention but a few, and he had been booked to do other ones in the future. He travelled to Scotland, South Africa, Boston, England and New Zealand to the World Floral Art Shows. Fergus gained a Commended award for his exhibit in New Zealand.
He was also heavily involved in the World Show which was held in Ireland in 2014. He had the honour, along with his fellow Club Members, of decorating the Burlington Hotel for the Gala Banquet. In 2013 Fergus was part of the County Wexford Team that won Gold and Best in Category at Bloom. He also received a First for his exhibit, some years back, at the Tullamore Show and also at Piltown.
The Executive Committee in AOIFA knew they only had to phone him when they needed help, mechanical or otherwise, he was so very very generous with his time.
As a person he was very private, you didn’t encroach on his territory and he didn’t encroach on yours. He was very happy with his own company. He hated anyone fussing about him. He was very modest and didn’t like praise – many of his creations deserved and got a lot of praise but that praise did not sit easy with him. He was good company, very jovial with a drole sense of humour. He was very patient and gave generously of his time and expertise. He was a very loyal colleague, brother, brother in law, uncle, great uncle and friend.
His Church in Killanne was very important to him and he was a current member and treasurer of its select vestry.
Fergus passed away after a short stay in Wexford Hospital last Wednesday.
Huge crowds turned up for his removal from Tector’s Funeral Home in Clonroche on Thursday evening to Killanne Church where a guard of honour was provided by the Carrigbyrne Pikemen Choir group. Prayers were led by Canon Roger Harmsworth assisted by Canon Leslie Crampton and Fr. Richard Lawless.
Huge crowds again turned up for the funeral service in Killanne Church on Friday which was again led by Canon Roger Harmsworth assisted by Dean Maria Jannson, Rev. Lester Scott and Rev. Jack Kinkead with Fr Billy Swan in attendance. Burial took place after the service in adjoining graveyard.
Deepest sympathy is extended to his brothers Austin, Ray and Derek, his sisters Sheila and Linda, other family members and a wide circle of ex colleagues and friends.
He will be sorely missed by many. May he rest in peace.