Samuel Ross Moffett (Ross)

1936 - 2009

Samuel Ross Moffett - or Ross as he was known - was born on the 6 June 1936, the only child of Bertie and Peggy Moffett and home for the Moffett family in those days was Londonderry. It was however with Ross still as a young boy that the family moved to Belfast. In coming to Belfast, Ross attended Methody and he did well in his schooling.

After schooling Ross went to work for the Linen Research Institute for a short period. However, Ross soon decided that his career lay in a different direction - and so after studying and qualifying as a Quantity Surveyor he joined the Housing Executive. And it was with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, with the exception of a few short spells, that Ross was to spend his working career. Ross loved his work and his job as a Quantity Surveyor and so today we would give God thanks for all that Ross was able to achieve during his working life - and for the contribution he made to society as a whole.

Ross also served this community in another way. In the 1970s he joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve. As you know the troubles were at their height in those days and Ross’s involvement on a part-time basis in the Police reserve meant many long nights of duty - and yet Ross took up that challenge. Ross was extremely proud, and rightly so, of the long service Police Medal that was awarded to him, and today we would give thanks to God for the way His hand was upon him during those days, and for the service Ross rendered to this community.

That aspect of ‘service rendered’ was revealed in another organisation which held a very dear place in Ross’ life - and that was the Scouting movement. Ross joined the Scouting Movement as a Cub Scout and then joined the main Scouts. In time he became a leader and then a Scout master. He served in the Scout groups connected with Newtownbreda church, and Saintfield Road church, and then at Inch. Ross greatly enjoyed working with the young people in the Scouts, and he particularly enjoyed organising, arranging and being involved in a number of Gang Shows, which were staged in the Opera House and in churches. Ross’ service and loyalty and dedication to Scouting was acknowledged when he was awarded the Scout Medal for long service and that too, was a medal of which he was extremely proud.

Ross was also an active and faithful member of the congregation here in Lissara. On moving to Creevy Road, Crossgar, some 24 years ago, Ross and Kay and the family joined the congregation here. Ross was involved in so many aspects of the work in the congregation here. He sang in the church choir - and little did we know that the Carols by Candle-light service, arranged by the choir, and at which Ross read one of the lessons, would be the last occasion he would participate in public worship in this place.

Ross also served on our Church Committee and was for a period our church secretary.

On the 15 March 1992 Ross was also ordained to the eldership in this place and he made a valued contribution to the life and witness of the congregation.

I have two other memories of Ross, in connection with the congregation here; the first is the way he came, during our holiday Bible Club every summer, to help serve out the juice and biscuits to the children.

Whether it was opening the door to allow the children to go out of church to Children’s church or serving refreshments at the Holiday Bible Club, it is clear that Ross had a love for children.

The second memory I have is of a conversation I had with Ross on the last night of the Mission we had here with Dr David McGaughey in November 2008.

Ross came to me after the service, thanked me for having invited Dr McGaughey to speak and he told me that what he had heard during the week had given him a tremendous assurance and it had strengthened his faith in Jesus Christ.

And so today we would give thanks to Almighty God for Ross’ involvement in the life of the congregation here, for the service that he rendered in so many different capacities - and for his involvement with the Scouts.

But above all, we would want to give God thanks for all that Ross meant to Kay and the family.

Ross and Kay were married in Cooke Centenary church on the 27 March 1961 and so today, Kay has the memories of someone she loved, and of someone with whom she shared her life.

In time Ross and Kay were blessed with Ken and Mike - who today have within their hearts the memories of a father.

Ross’s neice Cathy was also a very special part of the family circle.

The family was added to, with the birth of the grand-daughters, Michila and Alex - and I know that the relationship they enjoyed with Ross was very special indeed. I know that the memories they have of Sunday dinner times, will stay with them forever.

Today we would offer our thanks to God for all that Ross Moffett meant to his family circle.

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