Community saddened by death of gentleman Jim

Community saddened by death of gentleman Jim

3 October 2012

JIM Miskimmin, who died suddenly last week, was a well known and highly respected driving instructor from Ballynahinch and also a freelance photographer for the Down Recorder for over 20 years. He was 68.

Jim’s passion for photography took him to just about every town and village in County Down and to sports grounds across the county and beyond. A big man with a personality to match his stature, he had many fine qualities which made him an ideal photographer. He was full of fun, courteous, considerate and rarely without a smile.

He could walk into a room of strangers and quickly build up friendships. He enjoyed meeting people and chronicling their achievements. Whether it was a cheque presentation, a dinner dance, a presentation night, a church function, or just about anything else, he could do them all.

With his beloved wife Mary at his side, he would go anywhere and nothing was too much trouble. He treated everyone the same, regardless of their background. He felt just as comfortable covering a gaelic football match as he would taking pictures at the Twelfth, which he did for many years.

One of the proudest moments of his career was being on the steps of the Hogan Stand at Croke Park when Down won the All-Ireland final in 1994.

But he could be just as happy sitting on his stool on the touchline of a local soccer or GAA ground in the middle of winter fortified by the welcoming cup of tea which, inevitably, would be given to him by a grateful club official.

He was a master at covering an evening presentation function which might overrun. More often than not, he would be invited to sit at the dinner table which meant that a simple photo assignment became a night out which he thoroughly enjoyed.

He was also a familiar figure at agricultural shows and vintage tractor demonstrations. There was rarely a week without some picture of old farm machinery featuring in the Recorder.

As well as his newspaper work, Jim was also a talented wedding photographer, with Mary again at his side.

Jim was born in the Killyleagh area, but later moved with his family to Raffrey. He began his working career as a lorry driver with the VG group and it was an at times hazardous occupation. Working in Belfast during the Troubles, his lorry was hijacked several times and he was held hostage by paramilitaries.

He was a music promoter for a time and managed a number of local bands, including the Young City Stars, from Downpatrick, later to become Rosetta Stone.

He was a part-time driving instructor for three years, but around 1980 he took the plunge and went full time. He was a good teacher and developed an easy rapport with his pupils, who were grateful for his instruction and became friends. Jim made friends easily, whether it was giving driving lessons, taking photos, playing pool or meeting people in the street.

He was devoted to Mary, his beloved wife for 46 years, their three children, Fiona, Creena and Philip, and, later, their four grandchildren, Julie-Ann, Bethany, Sean-Paul and Sophie. He took great pride in his family, and they were rightly proud of him.

The respect in which Jim was held by the community was evident at the large attendance at his funeral in St. Patrick’s Church, Ballynahinch, on Saturday morning. Among the mourners were representatives from many organisations who had benefited from Jim’s interest down the years.

In a moving tribute, Canon Gerard McCrory said Jim made more people smile than anyone he knew and would be sorely missed.

Pupils from St. Patrick’s Primary School, where Mrs. Miskimmin works as a supervisor, formed a guard of honour. After requiem mass Jim was buried in the adjoining cemetery.

Jim is also survived by his brother Jack and sisters Agnes, Lily, Lottie, Eileen, Margaret, Sarah, Iris and Kay. He was predeceased by another sister, Mary.