Eulogy for Dr Jimmy Riddell given by his son Gareth at his funeral 25th May 2020
I would like to say a few words on behalf of the family about my Dad, Jimmy. Because of the pandemic, this small service is not what we would have wanted for him. I am aware that it leaves me talking about Dad to the people closest to him, and who therefore know most of what I have to say.
He was born on the 15th of November 1942 to Ellen and John Riddell, the 4th of 5 children. His father was a successful businessman and general merchant in the Moy. Church bells were ringing that day for a big world war two victory in Africa, but his mother always felt that they were ringing for him. He went to the local primary school with a boy called Harry Mahood, who became a lifelong friend.
Unfortunately, his Dad died young. Jimmy was in P7 at the time. The next year he followed in his brothers footsteps and went to board in Coleraine Inst. He did well at school, and went on to study chemistry at Queen’s. Well, he enrolled in chemistry and sometimes studied it.
He joined the rowing club and this was the main focus of his social life at Queen’s. He met a variety of interesting people around this time. Alf McCreary and Bobby Murray became lifelong friends. He met a lady called Mary Rose, but more on that later. He became captain of the rowing club at Queen’s and he was very proud of his rowing achievements.
He taught for 3 years in Portadown College but during this time considered a change in career. He spoke with Dr Hobson, the GP in the Moy, and then went to study medicine at Queen’s, starting in 1967.
Once back at Queen’s, he became a boarding master at Methody, along with Des Rea. He coached rowing in Methody and remained in touch with one of the students, Keith Jeffrey, who became a lifelong friend sharing interests in art and literature.
He met Mary Rose again and they married in 1969. They went on to have three sons, and from this time he was very much devoted to his family. The 70s were very busy years for both of them. Moving house, small children, long shifts in medicine and extra shifts as a locum GP in north and west Belfast during the worst of the troubles. He described many experiences from this time.
He was appointed as a consultant in 1979 and completed his doctorate the same year. He worked hard throughout the next 23 years of his medical career. He had a productive research career and became a reader at Queen’s. He was involved with medical ethics and was secretary of the ethics committee for many years. He was involved in hospital management and became the medical director of the Belfast City Hospital. But he is known and remembered primarily for his teaching role. He taught a generation of doctors, both with lectures in his specialty of pharmacology, and whilst running a revision class for the final year medical students. He made a deep impression on those who knew him and he was described as charming and kind. He had a famous wit. We have been reminded of this by so many messages we have received over the last few days.
He retired in 2002. For the first few years, he continued to pursue work interests in research and ethics, as well as academic study. He continued to enjoy spending time with his family and grandchildren, as well as pursuing his hobbies of literature and the arts. Whilst based in Belfast, he retained a connection to the Moy and his sister Nell still lives there.
His health declined over the last couple of years, and this reduced his enjoyment of life. He is survived by his brother John, sister Nell, wife Mary Rose and his three children John, Gareth and Stephen. Whilst he is sadly missed by family and friends, he has left us with many great memories. Those who knew him will remember him as a gentleman, who was very charming and very kind.
