Respected solicitor and friend to his many clients
James (Kim) Kincade.
RESPECTED Portadown solicitor Mr James Anderson Kincade (popularly known as ‘Kim’) has died after a long illness which he bore with great fortitude and dignity.
A caring, compassionate man, with a wide intellect, Mr Kincade (59) was affectionately known as “the gentleman solicitor”. He was distinctive and immaculate in his signature three-piece, pin-stripe suit, with gold chain, fob, and watch dangling from his waistcoat.
A little eccentric, too, as it is reported he occasionally brought his Old English Sheepdog into the office - it rested contentedly under the desk at his feet - in the former premises of legendary T.D. Gibson and Co (Church Street) which is part of the very legal fabric of Portadown.
Mr Kincade, his late business partner Philip Nixon and Stephen Maxwell - the sole remaining partner - showed great respect for the tradition of the company. For the offices include pictures of Portadown solicitors like Henry Caskey (Harry) Morrison, Daniel Thompson, Irvine Harcourt MacCormac and Eric McCrea Thompson.
Kim Kincade’s greatest asset was his willingness to act far beyond the call of duty. A very scholarly man, he was not only family solicitor to a multitude of clients, but also their advisor and counsellor.
The foundations of his distinguished legal career were laid at Dungannon Royal School, where he excelled in academia and where he entered his final year as head pupil - all under the watchful eye and guiding hand of the headmaster who was his father, also James Kincade.
He is survived by his parents, James and Faye, his life’s partner Cate and children Rebecca, Holly and James, sister Ruth and brother-in-law Peter. His home is at Main Street, Loughgall.
The eulogy at Sunday’s funeral in Armagh Road Presbyterian Church was spoken by his legal practice partner Stephen Maxwell, the service being conducted by the Rev Tony Davidson of First Armagh Presbyterian. The church could not contain the mourners, even though extra seating was provided - many had to remain outside.
Stephen recalled that Kim Kincade went from Dungannon Royal to Queen’s University where he graduated in July 1976 with a 2:1 Degree, an LLB in Law. He took up Articles with Johnston & Sons of Belfast, qualified in August 1978, and as Mr Maxwell humorously put it “answered the call of the wild in Portadown”, where he joined T.D. Gibson’s, under the wing of Harry Morrison, who recognised his skill, knowledge and staunch work ethic and offered him a partnership after just a year - at the tender age of 28.
Mr Morrison retired in 1985 and Kim ran the business single-handedly. At the time another firm - that of Carleton, Atkinson and Sloan - was run by his great friend and rival Philip Nixon - until one sociable evening they decided to merge, and always joked the date was April 1! Then in 1995, they brought over Eric McC Thompson - again on April Fools Day!
Stephen Maxwell joined them as a partner, and sadly he is the sole survivor of the three. His tribute was of the privilege of having worked with two great friends whom he remembered with great fondness. He spoke of Kim Kincade’s great expanse of knowledge in all matters legal - conveyancing, complex titles and administration of estates and probate were his forte and specialities. “It has been an honour and privilege to have worked with Kim and I thank him sincerely for all that he has handed down to me in that regard,” he added.
He stressed that Kim Kincade was most of all, proud of his children “and regaled staff with their achievements”. Holly is a teacher in Edinburgh, Rebecca is a freelance journalist in Belfast and James junior is completing and obtaining his law degree.
Mr Kincade also gave generously of his time and considerable talents to many organisations, professional, voluntary and charitable - chairman of the Coroners Association, and Deputy Coroner for a wide area of Mid Ulster; vice-president of Crossroads Caring for Northern Ireland; chairman of County Armagh branch of the NSPCC; president of Armagh Theatre Group; committee member of County Armagh Club; chairman of the PTA at Cope Primary School, Loughgall; chairman of Loughgall Tennis Club; chairman of board at Lisanally Special School; and staunch champion of ‘The Vulgars’ (Very Ugly Lovers of Golf and Rugby Society!) which showed his great sense of humour!
After speaking of the deceased’s qualities of honesty and integrity, Mr Maxwell lauded Mr Kincade’s humility and dignity in bearing his Multiple Sclerosis - “a benchmark to which we should all aspire”.
“His influence will be sadly missed by family and friends and by the Portadown-Loughgall areas,” he concluded.
Kim Kincade’s remains were removed to Roselawn, where cremation took place on Monday in a private ceremony.
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Weather for Portadown
Saturday 25 May 2013
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Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
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Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
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