Sammy Malcolm: Co Armagh man will be remembered for his passion for Scouts, cricket and railways

Sammy Malcolm, fondly remembered by generations of former Scouts in Lurgan, was a former bank manager and following his retirement took on the role of historian and archivist for Shankill Parish Church in the town.

The Malcolm family was hit by tragedy in 1994 when Sammy’s son Gavin was brutally murdered while walking home from a friend’s house.

Sammy and his wife Joan handled the heartbreak of losing their 15-year-old son, and the subsequent trial of the four men who had a role in killing him, with admirable dignity.

The father of three’s funeral will take place tomorrow at 10.30am in Malcomson’s Funeral Home followed by interment in Lurgan Cemetery.

The service can be viewed on ‘Malcomsons Lurgan’ YouTube channel or via www.malcomsons.com

Speaking to the Lurgan Mail, Sammy’s nephew Ian Malcolm said: “Sammy was an inspirational man with a passion for all sports – especially cricket.

“Sammy worked in banking, starting off in the old Belfast Savings Bank, before it became the Trustee Savings Bank. He was manager of several branches during his career, including Kilkeel.

“He lived in Annalong at that time, a place he loved so much that he gave his house that name when he came back to Lurgan.

Sammy was a lifelong Scout, holding many senior positions in the Scouting movement in Lurgan and Co Armagh. He was also a long-time member of Victoria Cricket Club.

Ian, who worked for the Lurgan Mail where Sammy’s brother Louie was also editor, said: “Sammy’s other passion was railways and he travelled the length and breadth of Ireland, as well as much farther afield, to see different rolling stock and lines.”

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