Mourners at the funeral of esteemed Banbridge businessman and councillor, Jim McElroy MBE heard that, such was his energy and dedication, that he only retired aged 82, “kicking and screaming”.
Proud longstanding public servant, James ‘Jim’ McElroy, passed away peacefully at hospital on October 12, aged 89 following several years of “declining health”.
At his funeral in Banbridge Free Presbyterian Church, the congregation heard from the Rev. David Smith that Jim had been a founder member of the church when it was built to replace the old building in 2009.
The Minister thanked one and all in attendance giving special mention to those representatives from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – of which Jim was a party member, those from ABC Council, the Orange Order and Royal Black institutions and from Moneyslane, where Jim was born and raised.
Following a reading from scripture, the Minister expressed his sincere condolences to Jim’s family on behalf of the church.
He described Jim as a “faithful member of this church and much, much more” whose work as an elder was “second to none”.
Jim, said the Reverend, would be remembered for his “kindness and visits to the sick and needy”. If something needed done within the church, Jim “would make sure it was done”.
On a personal note, the Reverend said Jim had been a “great supporter” who “welcomed me to this congregation” nine years ago, when he first joined the parish.
In recent years, with failing health, Jim had regrettably missed services. The empty seat now among them, will be a “great loss”, said Rev. Smith.
“His great work here on earth is done,” he added. “We also know the comfort of the Lord in Gospel which Jim had in his soul for a new Christ as his Lord and Saviour.”
During what the Minister regarded as “distressing times” in hospital, he said Jim would take “great comfort” in readings of the Gospel.
“In those times, even when great doubts would asail, him he would take comoft as the Word of God was read to his soul.”
Moving to a tribute penned by Jim’s family, the Reverend informed mourners that he had been born onto the family farm in Moneyslane. He had one brother and two sisters.
But the farming life wasn’t for Jim. “Perhaps he realised there was no money in it,” joked Rev. Smith.
Instead Jim found his way in a variety of jobs but liked working in the wholesale drapery trade in Belfast.
Shortly thereafter he met his future wife, Evelyn.
After they were wed, Jim opened a clothing store in Banbridge in 1969. Many years after that, he opened a pram and toy shop in Bridge Street.
Later, he changed tact, selling the clothes shop and instead moving into wholesale in ladies fashions, selling to clothes shops “all over Ireland”.
After he sold the toy and pram shop, Jim purchased a residential home in Belfast and “reluctantly retired kicking and screaming at the age of 82”.
Beyond business, Jim was a proud drummer for Moneyslane Pipe Band. He was also a dedicated member of the Orange and Black Institutions.
Rev. Smith said some of his most treasured days were taking his grandchildren to the July 13 celebrations in Scarva for an “Ulster fry early in the morning”.
Politically, Jim was a councillor representing the DUP in Banbridge. He chaired the former Banbridge Council twice and was awarded an MBE for his services to the Banbridge community in 2011.
Mourners heard how Jim and Evelyn loved to holiday all over the world and once, when in Australia, they got in a taxi to visit the Rev. Fred Buick who had been a previous Minister in Banbridge.
To surprise him, they rang the doorbell and upon answer, asked,”Is this the road to Scarva?”
Jim had three children, eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. After church on ‘the Lord’s Day’, he would often take his grandchildren for a bit of fun to the “Polo tree which grew Polo Mints!”
Among the defining features of Jim’s life was in finding his “saving faith” in the Lord on November 13, 1959. Rev. Smith said the occasion “marked his whole life from then on”.
To his sorrowing wife, Evelyn, the Minister said, “Behind every good man, people say there is a good woman and that’s Evelyn. She has been by his side throughout it all.”
A final word of thanks from the family was issued to the carers who looked after Jim so well in his final years.
Thanks was paid to the dedicated doctors and nurses of Lurgan and Craigavon Area Hospitals.
Family and friends, with special mention afforded to “good pal” William Kelly and the “immense” help of Linda Bell.
Rev. Smith added on behalf of the McElroy family, “He has no pain now because he is in Heaven forever more. What a comfort that is. With Christ which is far better.”
