{"id":2964,"date":"2015-01-01T13:17:10","date_gmt":"2015-01-01T13:17:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=2964"},"modified":"2015-01-01T15:25:41","modified_gmt":"2015-01-01T15:25:41","slug":"george-withers-killyleagh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=2964","title":{"rendered":"GEORGE WITHERS: KILLYLEAGH"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It is with regret that we at www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk<\/a> learn of the death of an old friend and comrade.\u00a0 Geordie Withers–better known by his nickname The Bear–passed away at the Ulster Hospital on Tuesday 30th December.\u00a0 he was 62 years old.\u00a0Geordie had taken ill a short time ago and sadly his condition worsened rapidly.\u00a0 In November a number of former colleagues met for a small function in the Toye Orange hall in support of The Bear and his family.\u00a0 Many stories were exchanged most of them relating to the period Geordie spent in both the Crumlin Road jail and latterly Long Kesh Prison Camp.\u00a0 Geordie was a stalwart in Compound 11 and was at the forefront of many of the altercations and protests we had especially in 1974.\u00a0 I remember Geordie at the height of the food protest in mid 74..because of his powerful build he had the task of throwing the food containers over the wire.\u00a0 Most of us would have struggled just to lift the containers but they presented no difficulty to The Bear.
\nThere are many other tales–most of them funny–about the Big Man and no doubt they will be told and retold\u00a0over the coming days.\u00a0 A funeral service will take place from George’s home at 13 Cuan Beach Killyleagh tomorrow–Friday 2nd<\/strong> January-at 10:30 am<\/strong>–followed by a service at the Church of Ireland\u00a0 in the town.\u00a0 There will then be a cremation on Monday 5th January at 9:30 am<\/strong> in Roselawn Crematorium.
\nGeorge Withers will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind and thoughtful person…a gentle giant in many ways.\u00a0 His dedication all those years ago will also be remembered for ever.\u00a0 To George’s family we send our deepest condolences.\u00a0 Our thoughts and prayers are with them today.
\nLAMH DEARG ABU<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"Share\"\/<\/a>