GAAlegendhonoured
WICKLOW GAA is in mourning following the death of John (Jack) Magee Senior at the age of 70.
A stalwart of Blessington GAA, John passed away peacefully at Naas General Hospital on Tuesday, March 17 following a long illness.
John played for the Blessington GAA club for over 20 years before moving on to become a club selector, committee man and County Board representative.
He looked after opening and closing of the astro pitch and the collection of fees. After Barry O’Donovan moved to Australia, John took over the bookings and allocation of slots as well. Following the retirement of the late Mick Curran, he also took over the duties of groundsman. John helped Wicklow GAA by manning the gate, particularly in Aughrim with Mick Mills and Tommy Brady.
John’s deep commitment to the club saw him run the bookings and allocations of the astro pitch from his hospital bed.
Sharing the sad news on social media last week, Blessington GAA posted ‘it is with a heavy heart that we inform you that following a long borne out illness fought so bravely and with courage that our Club President John Magee Snr has passed away last evening, March 17.
In February, Jack was presented with the Mick Curran Hall of Fame award at the Blessington GAA Awards. The award was accepted on John’s behalf by his wife Kathleen and the packed room gave John a well-deserved standing ovation.
He was also awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Garden County Awards in January.
Blessington FC paid tribute online ‘it was with great sadness to hear of the passing yesterday of a great man in Jack Magee.
‘Jack over the past number of years was our contact at the Astro and I can honestly say he was always so understanding of our needs within the soccer club. If an event had to be cancelled for whatever reason, Jack always understood and did his best to help us reschedule the booking for another time. A true gent and a legend in GAA circles, Jack will be sorely missed by the local footballing and wider community.’
Wicklow Ladies GAA described him as ‘one of life’s gentlemen’ and sent their condolences to his family and friends.
On his journey home last week to be waked, the cortege paid a visit to the GAA grounds where committee members past and present, several players and members all observing HSE protocols applauded John’s life-long commitment to the GAA.
On Saturday, players, members, supporters and members of the community lined the street from the church to the cemetery with lots of
John’s beloved blue and white flying the graveyard area.
John is sadly missed by his loving wife Kathleen, children Chris, Noelle, John, Paddy and Sarah, grandchildren Brendan, Dean, Mikey, Patrick, Sean, Jordy, Caitlin, Katy May, Jamie, Conor, Rian and Rhona, great-grandson Koa, sister Theresa, daughters-in-law Yvonne and Claire, sons-in-law Paddy, Brendan and James, sisterin-law, brother-in-law, nieces and a large circle of friends.
John’s funeral mass was held on Saturday, followed by burial at Burgage Cemetery. May he rest in peace.