TRAGIC FIANCE MADE MBE AFTER OMAGH
Tragic fiance made MBE after Omagh
By Darran McCann
Tyrone Correspondent
HOSPITAL worker recognised for his work after the Omagh bomb has died suddenly on his stag weekend.
George Fleming was in Newcastle, Co Down, with friends to celebrate his forthcoming wedding when he suffered a suspected heart attack.
The 48-year-old had been due to marry Julie Crawford, a nurse at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, on October 30 at Christ Church in her home town of Strabane.
The couple had been scheduled to honeymoon in Prague and New Zealand.
Mr Fleming, a senior mortuary technician, had worked at Omagh Hospital for almost 30 years.
A colleague, Patricia Hackett, said: "He was so looking forward to [his wedding] and after he had waited so long - he was 48 - to just have it snapped away from him is terrible.
"He was such a character. There wasn't a day went past that he didn't have a story to tell that brightened up our day."
Mr Fleming was in charge of the hospital's morgue at the time of the 1998 Real IRA bomb that claimed 29 lives, including that of a woman pregnant with twins.
Ms Hackett praised his courage in coping with the horrific situation around him.
Coinciding with his 25th year working in the health service, Mr Fleming's role led to his being made an MBE in 1999.
"He showed great dignity in the way he handled situation like that," Ms Hackett said.
"He had great respect for the position he had arrived at.
"He was one of life's gentle men and we feel like we have lost a brother.
"We're a small unit here and we're more like a family."
Mr Fleming was originally from Seskinore, near Fintona but had lived in Omagh town for many years.
An avid rugby fan, he was lifetime follower of the fortune of Omagh Academicals.
A funeral service is to be held today at his home at Cleannan Park in Killyclogher, Omagh, 12.30pm with burial at Greenhill Cemetery afterwards.
By Darran McCann
Tyrone Correspondent
HOSPITAL worker recognised for his work after the Omagh bomb has died suddenly on his stag weekend.
George Fleming was in Newcastle, Co Down, with friends to celebrate his forthcoming wedding when he suffered a suspected heart attack.
The 48-year-old had been due to marry Julie Crawford, a nurse at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, on October 30 at Christ Church in her home town of Strabane.
The couple had been scheduled to honeymoon in Prague and New Zealand.
Mr Fleming, a senior mortuary technician, had worked at Omagh Hospital for almost 30 years.
A colleague, Patricia Hackett, said: "He was so looking forward to [his wedding] and after he had waited so long - he was 48 - to just have it snapped away from him is terrible.
"He was such a character. There wasn't a day went past that he didn't have a story to tell that brightened up our day."
Mr Fleming was in charge of the hospital's morgue at the time of the 1998 Real IRA bomb that claimed 29 lives, including that of a woman pregnant with twins.
Ms Hackett praised his courage in coping with the horrific situation around him.
Coinciding with his 25th year working in the health service, Mr Fleming's role led to his being made an MBE in 1999.
"He showed great dignity in the way he handled situation like that," Ms Hackett said.
"He had great respect for the position he had arrived at.
"He was one of life's gentle men and we feel like we have lost a brother.
"We're a small unit here and we're more like a family."
Mr Fleming was originally from Seskinore, near Fintona but had lived in Omagh town for many years.
An avid rugby fan, he was lifetime follower of the fortune of Omagh Academicals.
A funeral service is to be held today at his home at Cleannan Park in Killyclogher, Omagh, 12.30pm with burial at Greenhill Cemetery afterwards.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0709
Published Date: 01-Oct-04
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