Remembering John

James Whyte — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:08:26 +0000

I knew John as a fellow student and friend in UCG during the late 80s
and early 90s. I was shocked when I heard of his passing last year. He
was a great guy and I have fond memories of him.

Sadly Missed

Joe Lipper — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:29:54 +0000

I met John through working in Shannon Aerospace, a really decent guy
and someone I was proud to call a friend. He is very sadly missed.

Remarkable Achievement

Richard — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:02:49 +0000

I got to know John first back in 2005 when I joined the Tennis Club in
Ennis. I immediately found him to be a most honest, affable fellow
and, over the following three years, we played a lot of doubles
matches together and became good friends. John was always the diligent
organiser of those very enjoyable games – I can still remember his
cracking serves.

In 2008, John decided not to renew his membership of the club as, at
that stage, he was spending a lot more of his free time on his love of
photography. We would still meet regularly for a tea or coffee though,
often discussing the latest sporting event, political development or a
recent photo-hunting expedition that he’d been on. Back then it wasn’t
unusual to bump into John in town in the early evening after his
working day in Shannon Aerospace. Having parked his car, he would
often go on a walk around Ennis before his daily shop. A member of the
Clare Outdoor Club, he had the long loping stride of a man who loved
walking and who was clearly more happy traversing countryside than
concrete.

It was only after his passing that I heard from Brendan (John’s
brother), that John had secured a Masters in Classical Studies at
University. On all the occasions we talked and socialised he had never
once mentioned this remarkable achievement – a testimony to his
modest, self-effacing nature. With his tall good looks, his love of
the great outdoors and his quest for yet another great photograph, he
was Clare’s Indiana Jones.

I hope we’ll meet again.