The death has occurred suddenly of Mr John Moran, Carnalurgan, Ardmore Road, Westport, a much loved figure throughout the area. A native of Curvey, Aughagower, Westport he was son of the late Ellen and Michael Moran and was aged 72 years. In the early eighties John set up his own school of motoring and went on to become one of the best known driving instructors in Co Mayo. In more recent years he co-ran the motoring school with his daughter Emer.

News of his sudden death shocked and saddened, not just his family, but neighbours and friends and the countless people who knew him and held him in such high regard. While the term 'a people's person' is a cliche that is often over-used, it very much applied to the personality that was John Moran. He was a true people's person. He loved meeting people and chatting with them and was genuinely interested in what they were doing and how they were getting on in life. A sincere and genuine man in a sometimes phoney world.
John was a man happy with his lot in life. For him the important things were a warm and loving family and good friends; these he had in abundance.

He epitomised the old Christian adage - 'one is nearer to God in one's garden than any where else on earth'. John's great love of nature and the outdoors was reflected in the beautiful garden at his home in Carnalurgan which he and his wife Bridie tended with such loving care. The same could also be said of gardens which he cultivated at previous homes on the Newport Road and Rosebeg. Swimming and walking were among the activities he greatly enjoyed and on the social scene, he was an accomplished dancer, a pastime he greatly enjoyed.
John was an avid GAA fan and a true and loyal follower of Mayo GAA teams. Indeed, it was ironic that on the Sunday of his death he was watching the Mayo-Kerry NFL semi-final on television when he collapsed and died.

Given his general interest in sport it was not surprising that John played the occasional game of golf. But he had no aspirations to be another Padraig Harrington and his infrequent forays to Mulranny Golf Club to play nine hotels had more to do with stopping off for lunch in Nevin's of Tiernaur than with reducing his golf handicap.
John will be very sadly missed by his wife Bridie, son Sean (Westport), daughter Emer (Westport), brother Mick Moran (Curvey, Aughagower), sisters Mary Moran (The Quay, Westport) and Helen Flanagan (Kilconly, Tuam), sister-in-law Noreen, brother-in-law Tom Flanagan, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and a very wide circle of friends.
John reposed at the family home in Carnalurgan where large crowds gathered in sympathy and solidarity before removal took place to St Patrick's Church, Aughagower, for Requiem Mass. The concelebrants of the Mass were Fr Jackie Conroy, PP Aughagower/Cushlough, Fr Charlie McDonnell, Adm., Westport and Fr Micheal Mac Greil SJ.
The readings and prayers of the faithful were done by John's daughter, Emer, his nephews Paul Moran, Louis and Gabriel Moran, close family friend Mary Cafferkey and Kate O'Shea, a niece of John's wife, Bridie. Hymns were sung by Aughagower Church Choir and John's niece, Evelyn Flangan.

In the Mass homily of Fr Conroy and a reflection by John's nephew, Gabriel, many tributes were paid to him as a good and happy person who loved meeting people and talking to them. He was described as a staunch family man who lived life to the full. He was a man of strong self-belief and firmly believed that people could achieve most of their goals in life if they set their minds to them and worked hard. Tributes were also paid to him as a caring uncle, neighbour and friend who would be sadly missed on earth but would surely light up Heaven.
John was laid to rest in Aughagower Cemetery. Peaceful rest to his kind and happy soul.

- Mayo News, 1st May 2012 Tweet

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