By Paul McElwee
FORMER pupils of St Colman’s High School in Strabane took to social media this week to remember Ramelton man, Brian Winston, who passed away peacefully last Thursday.
Affectionately known as ‘Barney’ by pupils and known as ‘a civil being, kind and gentle’, Mr Winston was a member of the St Colman’s faculty for many years as a drama and English teacher.
A lover of theatre and frequent board-treader, especially in local pantomime, Mr Winston was involved in the dramatic arts in his home town of Ramelton.
He would also appear on screen, with a small part in ‘The Hanging Gale’ which starred the four McGann acting brothers and was known to show his performance to pupils in his class.
On hearing of his passing, an outpouring of grief came to the fore, with many remembering his iconic turn as Fagan in a St Colman’s production of ‘Oliver’.
Among the tributes were people remembering how they always enjoyed time in Brian’s company while another saw a former St Colman’s student call him ‘One of the good guys at St Colman’s’ something which was echoed by a great many former students.
One particular reminiscence involved a former pupil meeting Mr Winston at a Bob Dylan gig. The pupil fondly recalled the ‘childlike awe’ Brian had for the performance he had just witnessed at Dublin’s Point Depot and how, after witnessing a secret Dylan gig the previous night, Brian rolled up his sleeves to show the set lists from both gigs on his arms!
Brian of Rectory Road, Ramelton, died peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff at Ramelton Community Hospital.
His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Ramelton, on Friday.
Beloved husband of Jean, he is deeply regretted by his sister, Breda and brother, Tom, sisters-in-law Ita, Mary, Ita, Kathleen, Catriona and Kathleen, brothers-in-law Dominic and Eamon, plus nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Barney and Margaret, brothers Brendan and Joe, and brother-in-law Willie Joe.