Jim Canning:JIM CANNING, who has died aged 75, made a huge contribution to his native Coalisland, Co Tyrone – as a conservationist; promoter of community development; historian; and local councillor.
He was dedicated to preserving the town’s industrial heritage. Coalisland was one of the places in Ireland most touched by the industrial revolution of the 18th century. He worked to preserve the old industrial buildings left behind when industry declined in the first part of the 20th century.
The Coalisland Canal was central to the town’s development. One of his earliest memories was standing on the footpath in front of their house and shop at Harbour View and catching the grains of Indian corn as they bounced from the high-sided carts carrying the grain from the lighters in the Basin to John Stevenson Co’s mill on the Dungannon Road.
The canal had been one of the earliest in Ireland or Britain, when begun in 1733. It closed in 1954.
Canning secured funding to restore part of it and wished to have it reopened. One of his successful campaigns was to prevent one of the surviving stretches being filled in for a car park.
As a historian, he wrote four books recording the town’s history. As well as recording the decline of its industry, he worked to provide replacements.
Through the Coalisland Enterprise Centre he helped establish premises for small businesses.
Politically he took up difficult issues. Coalisland has one of the largest Traveller communities in the North. Canning championed their right to have a permanent site.
Coalisland and the surrounding area was deeply affected by the Troubles. He worked with Msgr Raymond Murray, Bernadette McAliskey and the late Fr Denis Faul to help young people detained by the police.
His ability to get on with people from all backgrounds was invaluable, giving him useful contacts in the police.
Canning served on Dungannon and South Tyrone Council from 1973 to 2005. He was first elected for the SDLP, but resigned to become an Independent.
In 1988, both unionists and nationalists supported him as first nationalist chair of the council.
Jim Canning was the second youngest of seven children, and only son, to James and Catherine (née Logan) Canning. He was educated at Primate Dixon primary school in the town, then St Patrick’s Academy in neighbouring Dungannon.
He is survived by his wife Ita, sons Séamus and John, sister Anne (Woolsey), and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by sisters Maisie, Vonnie, Nora, Sheila and Una.
Jim Canning: born August 23rd, 1934; died April 9th, 2010