A FERMANAGH All-Ireland medal winner who helped construct dozens of GAA pitches across the country has been described as a "true visionary".
Roslea native Joe Pat Prunty (88) died last Friday after a short illness and was laid to rest after Requiem Mass at St Mary's Church in Newtownbutler on Sunday.
His family owned firm, Prunty Pitches, is known across Ireland for developing GAA fields using a unique sand-based drainage system.
Some of Ulster and Ireland's best known grounds use a Prunty laid playing surface including, Celtic Park in Derry, Breffni Park in Cavan and Fitzgerald Stadium in Kerry.
In the past the Fermanagh-based firm has also worked with soccer and rugby clubs.
In 1985 Mr Prunty received an MBE for his work in the field of drainage.
Although he lived for many years in an area of Newtownbutler, known locally as 'Prunty's Stretch', Mr Prunty remained a Roslea Shamrocks man at heart and was an honorary club president.
He was known across the Erne county for the part he played in securing the junior All-Ireland football title when his county beat Kerry at Croke Park in 1959.
He was also a Roslea Shamrocks stalwart and lined out at full back when the club claimed four Fermanagh senior football titles in a row between 1955-1958.
Long standing committee member Seamus McMahon paid tribute to Mr Prunty.
"He was a big gentleman, big in stature but always a very soft spoken man, never brash or boastful," he said.
"He was known the length and breadth of Ireland."
Fr Gary Donegan, who is a native of Co Fermanagh, knew the businessman well.
He returned to his native county at the weekend for Mr Prunty's funeral and described him as a man of great faith with a particular reverence to Marian devotion.
He said Mr Prunty belonged to a group of mainly older men who hold to a rare tradition of saluting when they come into contact with a priest.
"There was an extra reverence when he met a priest even though he knew me as a child, there was a thing you would get in older generations that (they) would salute a priest." Fr Donegan explained.
"It was told that often the priest might be carrying the Blessed Sacrament and it was a sign of reverence.
"Joe Pat would have lowered his tone of his voice when he was speaking to you and he was a bit of a legend for so many reasons."
Fr Donegan described the Pruntys as a "lovely family" and said Joe Pat was "noted for his devout faith, particularly to Our Lady, and obviously to the GAA".
Fermanagh GAA chairman Greg Kelly said he "will be sadly missed by the many close friends he made within the GAA circle".
He recalled that when the pitch at Brewster Park in Enniskillen was being relayed several years ago Mr Prunty buried a miraculous medal in the middle of the field to "keep the players safe".
"Joe Pat was central to the development of GAA facilities of the highest possible standard across Fermanagh and his services were in high demand across Ireland and further afield," he said.
"He was a unique character and a true visionary, who leaves a considerable legacy behind him."
