The death took place on Monday last at University College Hospital, Galway, of Mr John Donoghue, Skyvalley, Taughmaconnell. Aged 64, he had been in ill health for some time and he bore his final illness with characteristic dignity and fortitude. Of a friendly and jovial disposition, deceased was synonymous throughout the midlands and west with the Padraig Pearses GAA Club in South Roscommon having had in excess of 40 years involvement with the club as both a player and official. In his younger days John worked with Budget Rent A Car, mainly in Dublin and Shannon, and was deservedly popular with all his work colleagues and the general public alike. His undoubted business acumen, drive and initiative saw him establish sports shops in both Ballinasloe and Athlone in his first personal business venture and he and his family subsequently owned and operated The Well licensed premises in Moate for a number of years. Since his late teens he gave of himself unstintingly to the Padraig Pearses GAA Club. He played at midfield on the senior panel for some years and his first official post was as secretary at the age of 20.

Since then he served as club chairperson on a number of occasions and as manager of the senior panel, senior hurling manager and U-21 manager. He was a lover of all sport and a Liverpool soccer supporter who travelled over and back to Britain to attend soccer fixtures on occasion. He was devoted to his immediate and extended family and a most obliging neighbour. He is survived by his wife, Marie, (nee Keane, Torpane, Ballyforan) sons, Robert, Shannon; Philip, Skyvalley; Sean, Jury's Lane, Ballinasloe, Michael, Skyvalley and Jimmy, Skyvalley and daughters, Mrs Caroline Malone, Kilconnell and Geraldine, Tullamore. A member of a family of five boys and eight girls, he is also survived by brothers, Kevin, Kildare; Thomas, Ballinasloe; Michael, Cork and Eamon, Monksland and sisters, Mrs Margaret Grehan, Ballyforan; Mrs Claire Kelly, Bally-
foran; Mrs Collette Webster, Drum; Mrs Annette Lynch, Kiltormer, Mrs Lucy Regan, Waterford; Mrs Kitty Tansey, Navan; Mrs Mary Duggan, London and Mrs Eileen Whelan; Moore; grandchildren and a number of other relatives. Following Concelebrated Mass at St Ronan's Church, Taughmaconnell on Thursday the burial took place in Taughmaconnell Cemetery. The principal celebrant of the Mass was Very Rev. Sean Neylon, PP, Taughmaconnell. The other celebrants were Very Rev. Vincent Glennon, on holiday from Ghana; Very Rev. Michael Finneran, PP, Cloontuskert, a native of Onagh, Taughmaconnell; Right Rev. Mons John Killeen, retired Togher, Taughmaconnell; Very Rev. Michael Molloy, PP, Moore and Rev. Christy McCormack, CC, Fohenagh.


Courtesy of The Roscommon Herald. Tweet

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