A popular postmaster in Co Tyrone who passed away this week has been described as "one of a kind" by a family friend.
Peter McRory from Altamuskin, outside Ballygawley, died at the weekend aged 89 and was well-known in the area for running the local post office for many years.
Colin Broderick, originally from Altamuskin but now working in the film industry in New York, said Peter was a unique character who would have gone out of his way to help those in the local community with any task.
“I grew up knowing Peter my whole life, we lived about a mile down the Altamuskin Road," Colin told MyTyrone.
“When we were growing up his shop was the phone box, it was the grocers store, it was the post office.
“Peter was the centre of all things. People knew him as ‘the grocer’ for years and some would still refer to him as Peter the grocer.
“People would look forward to going to the shop because he was a great storyteller. He was more interested in hearing people’s stories than selling anything.
“”They would bring in their TVs and radios as well and he would fix them in the shop too.
“He was just one of those people who knew how to do everything. He was a poet, an astronomer, postmaster, electrician, grocer, mathematician and generally the guy to go to if you needed information or a question answered.”
Filmmaker Colin said he had recently shot a film in Altamuskin and used Peter’s old post office for the production.
“When we were back there shooting a movie, I got to spend some time with him. I went and visited him about 10 times and I would sit with him and we would have a cup of tea and a chat.
“Even though the post office was closed for years, but he would go to the building every night, put on the fire and boil the kettle for anyone that was passing. He did that for years right up until the every end.
“It’s a small community but he was one of those rare characters that was just a local genius. He wasn’t taught in the things that he knew how to do – he taught himself.
“He was the most curious man I’ve ever known. He cared about things and he cared about people.
“He was a well liked human being by people from near and far. He was one of a kind.”
Local GAA club Errigal Ciaran, of which Peter was a longtime member, said he was a selfless servant to the community.
In a Facebook post, the club said: “Our club and parish lost one of its oldest members this weekend with the death of Peter – a great supporter of all facets of parish life over many years.
“A selfless servant to his community over many years, our thoughts & prayers are with Fr Pat, Francie and the entire family circle at this time.”
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