Frank Loughran loved language, both written and spoken. He played with it, made it his own.
One could be offered a “soil wizard” (sandwich) for lunch. A day out could be to “Cakedoran” (Bundoran) where you might enjoy an “i-shout” (ice-cream). A remiss pupil may be threatened with “paralysis of the gazandibags” (a fictional organ).
Frank also loved people. First and foremost his immediate family – he was delighted and very proud that his wife and two daughters followed him in becoming teachers, joining what he referred to as “a family business since generations”.
He was also very fond of his two sons-in-law and doted on his four grandchildren, delighting them with stories, antics and silly words.
Although he lived in Omagh most of his life, where he leaves a rich legacy, Frank was born in Belfast in 1949, the middle child of seven to Mary Bridget, a midwife, and her publican husband Frank.
He attended St Mary’s CBS and St Joseph’s teacher training college and during his teenage and early adult years he was frequently behind the counter of his father’s pub, The Plough Bar on the Woodstock Road. However, any notion of taking over was ended in August 1969 when the premises, like many Catholic-owned pubs, was burned out at the beginning of The Troubles.
Frank began his teaching career in a primary school in The Markets, followed by a year in a secondary school in Andersonstown. During these years he met his future wife Nuala and their marriage in 1976 would see him settle in Omagh, the county of his paternal ancestors.
His English skills and work ethic landed him a post in Omagh CBS, where in time he would head the English department. A lively and engaging presence, he was highly liked and respected by all.
He enjoyed teasing pupils, sometimes telling them he was an identical twin. He might claim to be the other twin when greeted in town, or deny having been somewhere and claim “You met my twin”.
Apart from his usual teaching duties, Frank organised skiing trips to Bulgaria and theatre trips to London and Stratford-Upon-Avon with Loreto and Omagh Academy.
He took a sabbatical in 1981 to spend a year teaching in Blois in France, acquiring excellent spoken French. He was also proud of his coup of persuading Seamus Heaney to talk and recite at a school event.
Frank had to retire in 1999 due to ill health. However, he continued his commitment to education by working as an examiner, assessing for the Baccalaureate only a few months ago.
Nuala left the nursing profession to start a new career in teaching and both their daughters, Aoife and Blathnaid, would become teachers of Irish and English respectively.
Frank’s permanent attachment to this daily newspaper and a book was legendary. He had a passionate interest in local and world politics, current affairs and sport and was a highly sought-after member of quiz teams around the town. His political opinions were well informed and passionately held and he even stood for election as a councillor. He was also an enthusiastic card player.
Frank served as PRO and assistant secretary for several years for Drumragh Sarsfield GAC. He joined the board of the Omagh Credit Union in 1990 and was chair from 2012 until 2018, with the Credit Union closing on the morning of his funeral.
His gifts to others also continued beyond his death on January 15. He signed up as an organ donor four years ago and his kidneys and liver have now given three people a new life.
Omagh has every reason to be proud of this adopted son for his contribution in so many ways to the life of the town for almost half a century.