Forrest, John
December 22, 2012'A true friend and a very special person' was how chairman of Ballygarvan GAA Club, Joe Kennefick, described the late John Forrest in a graveside tribute in September at the local cemetery following Requiem Mass in the local Church of Mary Mother of God, which huge numbers attended.
'John had a special and rare quality that we find only very occasionally and in very special people - he made each of us feel in some way that he was part of our own family and each of us felt in a very real sense that John belonged to us'. Joe went on to describe John Forrest as 'a devoted family man' who fought courageously in recent years against a number of illnesses. He expressed deepest sympathy to his wife Margaret, children Niamh, Aoife, Dara, Eimear, Edmond and Denis; his brothers Michael, Edmond, Eilish, Garrett and Mary Ann; grandchildren Joe and Caoimhe and other relatives.
'Outside of his family, GAA was John's great love and he and his family were steeped in its traditions,' said hurling team manager Joe. 'He contributed a lifetime to Ballygarvan GAA Club, on and off the field. When success eventually came, he played his part in bringing that elusive south east junior B hurling title in 1974 and junior A hurling title in 1977, the latter achieved alongside his brothers Michael, Edmond and Garrett. In 1994, John Forrest became club chairman (like his brother Michael and Edmond) and was a founder member of the camogie club.
'John was architect, designer, builder, craftsman, a master of all trades. He used his wide array of skills and talents so generously and for the benefit of us all. Whenever a job needed to be done or a problem to be solved, he was the first port of call for many in and around Ballygarvan and I'm sure it wasn't any different in his workplace - Eli Lilly, Dunderrow - from where he retired as maintenance manager last year'.
Joe Kennefick pointed out that John worked tirelessly with the Society of St Vincent de Paul and even shortly before going into hospital, was helping out some unfortunate family. He also gave his time to Innishannon Steam and Vintage Rally and was elected chairman this year. He served on various parish assembly committees, was instrumental in setting up the defibrillator scheme and was a long-time member of Fianna Fail.
Having recited the Hurler's Prayer, Joe said he could imagine John with his old team mate Paudie Butler and great friend Donal Twomey drawing up plans and getting involved in everything up in heaven. 'But above all, I can see him bringing to his new kingdom, that infectious combination of enthusiasm, dedication, emotion, wisdom, innocence, resilience, impatience, stubbornness, loyalty, kindness, friendship and love that all of us who are left behind are going to miss so much. John, ar dheis De go raibh a anam'.
Courtesy of The Southern Star.
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