The Late Jack Elligott 1917-2005 Jack Elligott of Bedford, Listowel died recently in New York. He is survived by his wife Lily (originally from Co. Donegal), his sons Kevin, Jimmy and Brian and their families. Jack, a brilliant footballer in his youth, born in 1917, left for America in 1937. He was conscripted to the US Army during World War II and fought bravely in North Africa and Italy before the world saw the demise of Hitler in 1945. He was reluctant to speak much about the war; too many colleagues were killed, too many sad stories no doubt. When he returned from the war he was still a young man and gave sterling service to the GAA in New York. He played at full-forward for New York in the National League Final of 1952 in Croke Park. He was a life-long member of the Kerryman's Association in New York and also a very good supporter of GAA clubs in North Kerry particularly Clounmacon and Ballydonoghue. He played the accordion on many special occasions and his favourite song was Grace. He was good to the young Irish people who visited the Big Apple either on holidays or in search of work. He visited Ireland almost every year except, of course, the war years. In later years he stayed with his nephew Robert Bunyan in Coolkeragh and was a regular at Denis Dowling Park in Coolard. He had the same position in Gaelic Park, New York every Sunday and it was easy for friends and relatives to find him. Much of his life was spent working hard as a conductor in the New York Subways. He enjoyed life to the full whether in Ireland or America. He was a true Irishman and extremely generous with his time and money. He was an uncle of the Bunyan family from Coolkeragh. He was laid to rest on January 27, in New York with full military honours, his coffin draped with the Stars and Stripes. His health failed him in the last few years or so and he was unable to make it to Ireland, but he did see Kerry beat Mayo on the big screen last September. Jack will be missed on both sides of the Atlantic but not forgotten. Courtesy of the Kerryman 3rd February 2005 Tweet

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