The sudden death of John Grace, formerly from Colt and living on the bog road for many a year, and the son of the late Ger and Mary Grace. Ger was the first Chairman of the Colt GAA Club when it was formed back in the late fifties. John's death on the morning of Saturday, September 28, sent shock waves through the closely knit community of Colt, Raheen, Ballyroan, Cashel, Shanahoe and Abbeyleix, these were the places that John was a household name. There were the people who met John day in, day out and where he was held in such high esteem but well beyond those boundaries John Grace was also well known and respected by everyone. This came about through his involvement in farming, sport and particularly in the GAA. In recent times John's love for the small white ball knew no bounds. Instead of speaking about fresians, whiteheads or yearlings, when it came to golf, the conversation was likely to include tee boxes, one under par, putters or indeed the odd hold-in-one golf classics or green fees. John was hugely involved in Abbeyleix Golf Club and was very much part and parcel of the whole set up so much so that in the coming year John was on course to become Vice Captain. John had moved on to a more laid back lifestyle at night time. He could and more often than not appear in Newtown, Spink, Raheen or Shanahoe or where ever the deck of cards were being dealt for the quiet and humourous game of whist. John's passing away will in no doubt leave a void at the card table and also amongst his many friends. It was in the sixties and seventies when the Macra na Feirme hall in Abbeyleix was a going concern for the young and the not so young. John again got involved in the organisation of all the dance bands collecting at the door, looking after the mineral bar and whatever else needed attention. He often spoke about meeting Big Tom, Joe Dolan, Brendan Boyer and many other big stars of that time. Eventually when the hall closed, John did not leave the Macra behind him. He soon got involved with the Abbeyleix Macra Drama group where he played major roles on and off the stage. It was through his love of Gaelic Games that John made so many friends and acquaintances. His club Colt came first and from 1968 to 1995 he was Vice-Chairman and from 1995 to 1998 John held the position of Chairman. He was not afraid to defend his club even if it meant a difference of opinion, but he always agreed to a compromise. For many years the Colt Club was inspired by the Hearns family, and particularly the late Johnny. Himself and John Grace represented the club through thick and thin and they both witnessed more bad days than good but it mattered little when it came to the pride of the Blue and Gold. That is what they tried to impress upon the youth of the club. This was shown throughout the year when John attended all the U12 games that Colt played, but sadly he didn't see them win the U12 championship because of his untimely passing. He would have spoken about the victory for many a day. In the early minutes through John's hard work the club procured it's own premises in the heart of the parish and developed in into one of the finest establishments in the county and it was appropriate to name it after another great gael, Johnny Hearns, Páirc Séan Uí hUidhrín. It was a proud John Grace that stood alongside the then Chairman of Leinster Council, Jimmy Grey, as he cut the tape on Sunday evening, in May 1992. This was one of John's proudest performances as Chairman of Colt GAA Club. Over the last ten years the venue had witnessed many a game of hurling and football from juvenile right up to senior level. Thousands of spectators have enjoyed the unique atmosphere that is in Pairc Seán Uí hUidhrín. John Grace seldom missed a match there, but now the venue will be poorer because of his absence. After vacating the chair in 1998, John took up the position of Assistant Treasurer, a position he held until his untimely passing. He also represented the club as a delegate for the Laois County Boad as well as being a member of the now successful Finance Committee of the Laois County Board. John's work for the GAA was untold and he was instrumental in securing Padraig Horan as Laois Senior Hurling Manager, when he was elected Vice Chairman of the Laois Hurling Board, a position he held for two years. John's ambition was to see Laois win a Leinster Senior Title in either hurling or football. Not that all his time was devoted to the GAA. John seemed to find time for every sport. He seldom missed the All-Ireland finals. Indeed it was one of his proudest boasts, one that he seldom missed out on at the great occasion of the All Ireland Final day in the company of his closest friends. Such was the enormity of the occasion that the day never seemed long enough for John to enjoy it. Each event and occasion became a mecca for him in recent years and he would mix with the rich and famous, but it was in the company of the ordinary people that John was always more at home. John was a devout Catholic and Sunday Mass was a place he mingled with his many and closest friends to discuss the weeks events before rushing off to some sporting event, or indeed a meeting of the Raheen Parish Council. One could continue to heap praise on this man, but John Grace was quiet and humble and would not want to be talked of at all. His funeral on both days attracted huge crowds from all walks of life, such as the sporting fraternity, politicians, farming community and churches of all denominations, but most of all the ordinary people of the surrounding areas who knew and loved John, and now felt the huge loss of a wonderful friend. This was also shown by the guards of honour that paid tribute to him, representatives from the Laois County Board, Colt GAA Club, Abbeyleix Macra na Feirme, Golf club and Eamon A Chnoic Golfing society. John Grace will be sadly missed at all sporting meetings, farmers meetings, cattle marts, and church gatherings. Most of all he will be missed by his closest neighbours in the farming community and further afield. He was a wonderful person to so many people but especially to sister Mary, his brother-in-law John Malone, and their children Ger, Michael, Sharon and Ann Marie and his wider circle of friends and club colleagues. After devoting so much of his time and work to secure the Páirc Seán Uí hUidhín on the right hand side of the road in Raheen. He now finds himself on the left hand side looking over the road. May the sod of Raheen rest lightly on his soul. May he rest in peace. - courtesy of the Leinster Express October 2002 Tweet

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