The Late John P Fitzgerald Family and friends gathered together in Duagh Church to say their final farewells to John Fitzgerald of Foildarrig, Duagh who passed away on Monday December 10th at the age of 92. John was born in Knockbrack, Knocknagoshel. As a young man, he and his great friend Eddie Walsh played Gaelic football together. He worked for a time in the local ceremery with his father before joining the Army when he was 19. While stationed in Clonmel he met his wife, Catherine. They had nine children and had a long and happy life together until she passed away eight years ago. A committed family man, John was very proud of his children and always looked out for their welfare. Often when he would come home from work the family would sit around the table and listen to the stories about his day. They would put on little concerts and sing and dance with musical accompaniment provided by John's whistling. He also had a great gasp of general knowledge and would quiz everyone on towns and counties and rivers. Those happy times made for fond memories that the family will carry with them forever. John was stationed in artillery in Kildare and one of his first duties as a member of the Blue Hussars was on horseback to escort the first President of Ireland, Dr Douglas Hyde, to Áras an Uachtaráin in 1938. While he was in Kildare, John also played football with the army and he was selected for the county team. He was also stationed in Clonmel for some time and played football with Tipperary winning a Senior championship medal with Clonmel Commercials as well as another Senior medal with Collins' Barracks in Cork. John had along list of achievements during his career. He was All-Army high jump champion and was also a top marksman. He served with the Irish army in the Congo and in Cyprus and was proud of his United Nations Peace medals. On moving back to Kerry he became training sergeant in the F Company, Listowel, and acted as sergeant-major during summer training. John was one of the first people in the area to own a Baby Ford car and it was a source of great pride to him that he was able to five people a lift to mass and to the Holy Hour. After leaving the army he worked in security in various places. He had many hobbies, including fishing, saving the turf and farming and he was the owner and trainer of serval greyhounds, Leading Rose, won the Hannafin Cup during the first ever Rose of Tralee Festival. He lived a full life, living independently in his own house until the beginning of September this year. He was a very happy man to see Kerry beat Cork in this year's All-Ireland Football final. He was admitted to Listowel Hospital in September and he spent his last few days in St. Joseph's Nursing home. He received excellent care and his family are very grateful to the doctors nursing staff who looked after him so well, especially Dr Billy O'Connor who was a very good friend of his. He passed away peacefully with his family around him. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Kerry's Eye 29th December 2007 Tweet

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