Death in Buckingham

Earlier this month, on 5th December, William Robert (Bob) McIlhagga died in the town in which he had settled and where he had been a builder, Buckingham in the Home Counties of England. He was born and brought up in Northern Ireland. I recall with pleasure calling on Bob and his wife Mary a few years ago and being made most welcome. Bob used to email me with family news and he used to look forward to our annual Clan Newsletter and always most thoughtfully made a contribution to the postage. Bob was predeceased by two of his five children, Robert Boyd as a young 20 year old in 1983 and recently his daughter Dawn just two years ago in December 2007.

Bob was born in Belfast on 20th March 1934, one of four children of Samuel and Ann (nee Kennedy) McIlhagga. If my researches are accurate, Samuel's father was also Samuel (1872-1958) who had five children including William Robert easton who emigrated to Australia where his descendants still live, John who stayed in Belfast and had five children, James who also had offspring and Martha who married John Robinson and had a family. The following Obituary Notice appeared on 10th December in the Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser:

McILHAGGA Bob: Died 5th December 2009, united with daughter Dawn, died 5th December 2007 and our son Robert. The most wonderful husband, father and grandfather. One of the saddest days for all of us, miss and love you Bobby, from your wife Mary. The funeral will be held at St.Peter & St.Paul's Church, Buckingham on Tuesday 15th December 2009 at 10am. No flowers please but donations, if desired, may be given towards a bench to commemorate Bob's life and sent c/o Heritage & Sons, 1a Bristle Hill, Buckingham, MK18 1EZ Tel: 01280 813188.