"ALL the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players.
"They have their exits and their entrances and one man in his time plays many parts."
Anyone who worked with Frank McGillion knew of his passion for theatre and his love of treading the boards at venues across Ireland.
Throughout his active life Frank engaged in a variety of occupations - cinema projectionist, postman, breadman, process operator, nightclub attendant and barman - before finding his true calling in 1977 when he began his nursing career at Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital in Omagh.
His rapport with patients and colleagues alike was renowned and most apparent in his production of the hospital's 2001 presentation of Snow White.
Likewise Frank's many years of service as Royal College of Nursing steward in Omagh emphasised his dedication.
Born in 1946 on the outskirts of Newtownstewart, Frank's sense of civic duty and pride were always to the fore - be it organising the local Irish dancing feis, adjudicating local and All-Ireland Scór and Scór na nÓg or participating on the town community committee to fundraise for senior citizens' Christmas parties, he never hesitated in making his presence and contributions available.
During the early 1980s he participated in local plays and pantomimes and following his elevation to the cast of the Lifford Players, he continued to develop his stagecraft.
Frank played roles when the group won the coveted All-Ireland Esso Trophy for amateur drama on three occasions- in 1982 for Macook's Corner, 1985 for The Wood of the Whispering and two years later with Brian Friel's Translations.
On each occasion they were privileged to perform the production for one week at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin, an accolade which remained a great source of personal pride for Frank.
Eager to share his love of theatre, he founded the Newtownstewart Drama Festival in 1993, bringing to the town a wealth and variety of stage productions and allowing patrons the opportunity to become commentators and critics in their own right.
He continued to encourage and promote local talent by launching the Backburners Drama Circle in 1996, setting an artistic platform for many budding local actors.
He took part in and successfully directed works by many of Ireland's great playwrights
The Backburners received great acclaim, competing in and winning festivals across the country, and the fruits of his efforts remain.
The amateur drama community of Ireland lost a dear friend when Frank, one of Newtownstewart's most respected citizens, passed away on May 13.
As evidenced at the huge numbers attending his wake and funeral, he was to many a great friend, colleague, mentor and confidant.
Frank is survived by his wife Una, children Aidan and Judith, grandsons Alexander and Leo Sialianski, his brother Pat and sister Margaret Arnold.
