BORN in Lanark in December 1927 to James and Catherine Connelly, Owen was the eldest of three children, himself and two younger sisters.
The whole family were participants and leaders in community life. Owen's father James was a member of the independent Labour Party and was a we
ll-known and respected advocate for people facing hardship. Growing-up this taught Owen a great deal about kindness and co-operation for the common good, thus preparing him for the man he was to become.
Owen served his apprenticeship as a mechanic but his main interest was in politics. He joined Lanark Labour Party at the age of 17, where he soon became secretary. He then became the first chairman of Lanark's newly formed Labour League of Youth.
In October 1946 he joined the RAF where he began in Wales as an aircraftsman fitter. He then spent the rest of his time at RAF Edzell in Angus. It was here he met some Hawick men, who were to become lifelong friends. He also began to develop an interstes in music, which was to become a great passion and play a huge part in his life. He left the RAF in August 1948, and in December he was appointed Labour Party organiser for the Tradetown Division of Glasgow. This was a week before his 22nd birthday, making him what was believed to be the youngest paid organiser of the Labour Party in Britain at the time. At the age of 24 he was appointed the agent for the Roxburgh and Selkirk division, and so began his life in Hawick.
He met Muriel Froud in trhe Crown Hotel in 1951 at her brother's wedding. They married in 1953, and had a rich and happy life together for almost 50 years.
Within a few years of coming to Hawick, Owen had left the Labour Party's employment, initially working in activity analysis (time and motion), but he frequently took on a bigger role, and was asked to join firms he had helped to improve.
Owen and Muriel moved to East Kilbride in the early 1960s, but always had someone from the family staying with them and everyone was made welcome. They formed many great friendships which have lasted over the years to the present day. In 1970-71, Owen's job took him to Castlebar in Ireland to the Geltarra Eiraenn Knitwear Factory. Again new friends were made, and whilst living there he became the first musical director of the newly formed Castlebar Choral Society, which rose to great heights in later years. Muriel and Owen went back regularly on holiday to support the choir.
They moved back to Hawick around 1980, the reason for uncertainty is Owen was always able to provide exact dates, and was everyone's 'phone-a-friend' on any topic. He was so thorough, well-organised, honest and discreet.
After retirement, Owen began a whole new chapter in his life, although looking after Muriel and her two sisters and visiting St Andrews Convent almost daily, he found time to be an active parishioner at S.S Mary and David's Catholic Church. His duties ranged from choirmaster, Eucharistic Minister, funeral co-ordinator, parish council chairman, reader, chauffer to visiting priests and was on various committees.
Sadly Owen lost his beloved Muriel in 2003, which left him very lonely at times. His way of dealing with this was to devote time and energy to his growing work schedule. He installed a computer system to replace his typewriter, and learned it with the expertise of a man half his age. There was no stopping his drive and determination.
His many interests included being a volunteer with the Citizens Advice Bureau, and featured on Radio Borders 'Time for Thought' for many years. He was a greatly respected and lifelong member of Hawick Art Club, as Muriel had been also. He faithfully attended Probus Club, and reported for and supported Hawick Saxhorn Band and the PSA Male Voice Choir with great pride. And not forgetting his weekly column in the Hawick News, 'Talking of Hawick', which he contributed faithfully for six years.
Although Owen's health was deteriorating and he underwent a triple heart bypass operation in 2005, he never once complained, forever optimistic he was always planning for tomorrow.
Owen had a great love for every member of his family and his many friends, and was dearly loved by all in return. He is very sadly missed but we are cheered by the memory of someone unique, who brought thoughtfulness and decency to everything he did. A true gentleman, never to be forgotten.
