Fógraí bháis

The sudden death of well known Lurgan republican Donald Magee brought shock and great sadness to the close knit Kilwilkee estate, and indeed to North Armagh as a whole.
Donald had suffered a heart attack and had passed away in his sleep on Saturday 24 February. Only a few short years earlier he had underwent a triple by-pass operation in order to try and improve his heart condition.
He was only 62 when he died, but in that time he had left a huge impression on the people of Lurgan, and in particular the people of Kilwilkee, where he raised his three children with his wife Shelia.
Donald was a life member of Clann Éireann Gaelic Club, which lies on the outskirts of the estate. There he spent many a night in “the hall”, as the regulars call it, having a drink with his many friends, before health problems had forced him to take things much easier as the years progressed.
Donald can only be described as an absolute gentleman in every sense of the word. Whenever you spoke to him he was always asking of others, no matter what his own problems may have been. This was a kindness and a quality that he carried with him right up until his untimely death.
Through the years Donald and Shelia’s home was always open to the Republican Movement. It was a welcoming home, and anyone who passed through it was greeted with all the warmth and friendliness the family possessed.
Donald was always eager to help the movement in whatever way possible. Indeed he was involved in every election fought in Upper Bann in the last 20 years, in some way or another. The amount of people that stopped at the caravan at Tannaghmore school, and passed comment on the absence of Donald was testament to that.
Every election day Donald could be found sitting in Tannaghmore representing Sinn Féin. Needless to say, there was a huge void in the Loughside area during the recent election. It was Donald who signed Sinn Féin candidate John O’Dowd’s nomination papers. No doubt he would have been very happy with the result, with Sinn Féin topping the poll in Upper Bann.
Donald’s funeral took place on Monday, 26 February, to St. Peters chapel Lurgan. The large crowd in attendance was testament to his popularity, and the high esteem with which he was held in the town.
On the way to St Coleman’s cemetery for burial, the cortege paused on Levin road, opposite the back of Donald’s Kelly Garden’s home, for a minute’s silence. Some of Donald’s grandchildren, in their innocence, broke the silence and could be heard muttering republican slogans. Sheila reckons it was a sign how much Donald’s beliefs had been drummed into them. Donald would have had a good laugh at that.
To Donald’s wife Shelia, his children Tracey, Joette, and Don, his brothers and sisters, grandchildren, and entire family circle, the Republican movement in North Armagh offers its sincere and deepest sympathy. Go ndeanna Dia trocaire ar a anam uasal.