Many tributes paid to the remarkable John Paul Kearney It was with deep sadness that the news spread throughout the county of the death of popular businessman John Paul Kearney, of Knockdoemore, Claregalway. Affectionately known over the years as JPK, John Paul had built a large business concern from humble beginnings. Never afraid to take on a challenge and never afraid of hard work, after John Paul left the family farm to go 'out on his own' he started form beginnings such as moving from the he family owned David Browne tractor to a Massey Ferguson 165 and a potato digger, which was the basis of a business as an Agricultural Contractor. From there John Paul expanded, and when silage eventually became popular, John Paul was the first in the West of Ireland to bring a self-propelled forage harvester into farms. The Kearney Argricultural Contracting business was run efficiently and with a firm hand, but lack of work in winter time and lack of cash flow during the quiet season led John Paul to explore further ideas. The budding entrepreneur saw a niche in landscaping and began to explore the idea of working in small family gardens and, with his wife Bridget, they also set up JPK Garden Centre, which has become one of the most successful Garden Centres in the county. The Landscaping business propelled into landscaping work on industrial sites and then it was a case of chasing the bigger and wider catchment and the contracts of landscaping the ground after the Lough Mask water scheme project and the ESB Moneypoint Power Project. They led to new territory and new ideas in other areas. Fencing was the area that John Paul found was to open a new chapter in his life. With the increasing awareness of security. JPK Fencing began to expand rapidly and has now become one of the largest fencing operations in the country - with JPK Fencing to be seen from Galway to Dublin and from Kerry to Donegal or Wexford. While John Paul Kearney built up a hugely successful nationwide business, he was never too far away from his roots. In his native Claregalway he had made a tremendous contribution to community life. In recent years his contribution would have come in support. John Paul Kearney was tremendously respected for his work in turning Claregalway Leisure Centre into a tremendous asset for the area, and for his outstanding contribution in the early years when difficulties arose following its opening. John Paul was one of the founding members of Claregalway Football Club and played football with Claregalway for many years and was a tremendous follower of both football and hurling. In his late fifties, he had a tremendous presence about him and was a man of great wit and conversation. He was hugely popular in the area and loved to join the locals in Lydon's of Knockdoe for a game of cards at weekends, it was something he eagerly looked forward to. When the news spread of his terminal illness broke. There was deep sadness in the entire community that a man that worked so hard and was so full of life could be battling for life at the highpoint of such a successful and varied life. However, John Paul displayed much character and courage an his frequent public appearances despite his frailties of illness left people in awe of his tremendous courage. Just a week before John Paul finally lost his battle with cancer, he was still going out and still in touch with everything that moved in the business. The remains of John Paul Kearney were removed from Claregalway Mortuary Chapel to the Church of the Assumption and St James, Claregalway . At concelebrated Requiem Mass, Most Rev De James McLoughlin, Bishop of Galway, presided as Right Rev Mons Thomas Shannon, PP Ballinrobe, as Chief Celebrant, was joined with by Very Rev Fr Noel Mullin, Claregalway; Fr Martin Costello, SMA; Fr Eamon O'Donoghue, MSC; Fr John D Flannery, Lackagh; Fr Paddy Callanan, Kilbeacanty; Fr Padraig O'Connor, Mountbellew; Fr John O'Dwyer, Oranmore; Fr Eamon Dermody, Clarinbridge; Right Rev Mons Sean O'Flaherty, Galway; Fr Sean Laffan, Ballinfoile; Fr Joe O'Brien, Abbeyknockmoy and Fr Brendan Helly, Claregalway. Burial took place in Claregalway Cemetery. John Paul Kearney is survived by his wife Bridget; sons, Richard, Kenneth, David, Aidan and Jason; mother Masie; brothers, Noel, Gerry, Martin, Michael, Jimmy, Gabriel, Eugene; sisters, Noreen, Liz, Monica, Assumpta; daughters in law, Sinead and Cait; in laws, nephews, nieces and a very large circle of relatives, neighbours and friends. Courtesy of the Connacht Tribune 14 October 2005 Tweet

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