Wilson McCormick: well-known Larne electrician and devoted family man

Wilson McCormick, who died suddenly at his home on January 6, was well-known and respected throughout the east Antrim area.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jan 2021, 12:53 BST
Wilson McCormick (left) with a younger Dick Strawbridge and his uncle Ross McCormick, a former McCormick Electrical worker. At the time Wilson used to carry out work for Dick’s parents in Ballyclare.Wilson McCormick (left) with a younger Dick Strawbridge and his uncle Ross McCormick, a former McCormick Electrical worker. At the time Wilson used to carry out work for Dick’s parents in Ballyclare.
Wilson McCormick (left) with a younger Dick Strawbridge and his uncle Ross McCormick, a former McCormick Electrical worker. At the time Wilson used to carry out work for Dick’s parents in Ballyclare.

Born in the Moyle Hospital, Larne, on September 26, 1958, he was the son of Mona McCormick and Wilson Keenan and stepson of Alex McConnell.

The eldest child in a family of five, his siblings were Rosslyn, Sandra, Agnes and Russell, the latter two of whom predeceased him.

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Wilson attended Larne and Inver Primary School and then Greenland Secondary School and Larne Technical College, where he studied for his NICEIC Approved Electrical Engineer qualification.

He served his apprenticeship as an electrician at Courtaulds in Carrickfergus and his first employment was with Ergas/Flogas.

The Larne man moved into business of his own when he bought Larne Appliance Repairs, which was based at Ledcom.

This later evolved into McCormick Electrical, and he became known throughout the town as a respected and skilled tradesman.

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His daughter Alex said that no job was too big or too small for him; “He would have done anything for a happy customer, even going out and working on Christmas Day,” she said.

He was a man who was intrigued by anything in relation to science and technology and also a lover of music, something which he passed on to his children. A genuine Pink Floyd enthusiast, he even had two distinct Floyd tattoos on each hand. He was an avid reader of thrillers, horror and crime novels.

Wilson also loved to travel and had visited countries including Poland and Zimbabwe, with plans to travel to Kazakhstan at the time of his death.

Those who knew him as friends or customers would recognise him as a confident man who always had a smile on his face and a bubbly personality.

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A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife Tracey and his children Cain, Remy, Alex and Lily, his uncle Ross and aunt Liz and a wide family circle.

The funeral service took place in the grounds of the Old Presbyterian Church of Larne and Kilwaughter at Meetinghouse Street, with interment at Larne Cemetery.

Numerous social media tributes were posted on Wilson’s facebook following the sad news of his passing.

One post said “Our wee town will never be the same without him. He was such a character and gentleman.”

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Another said “a man who genuinely would have helped anyone,” and one person commented “I’m sure I speak for the whole of the town when I say there’s a dark cloud over Larne today. You will be sorely missed.”

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Related topics:LarneAntrim