A sad farewell
Blessington mourns passing of John
JOHN MAGEE had battled cancer for nigh on 20 years but finally succumbed to the great sadness of his family and friends most especially those in Blessington and Wicklow GAA last week.
John was Blessington club to his core and after family was his number one passion. He played for the club for over 20 years, winning a JFC medal at half back in 1974 and an IFC medal in 1979 at full forward and played in the SFC final of 1980.
John moved on then to be a club selector for many years, committee man and county board rep. There was no greater seller of draw tickets than John and a Punchestown Annual Guinness Chase draw he for many years outsold several others combined. He distributed and collected lotto tickets and even today will be missed on his regular rounds.
John looked after opening and closing of the Astro and collection of the fees and with the departure of Barry O’Donovan to Australia John took over the bookings and allocation of slots as well. Allied to this work John, on the retirement of the late Mick Curran, took over also the duties of groundsman. John was a busy man as he also helped Wicklow GAA by manning the gate particularly in Aughrim with Mick Mills and Tommy Brady.
John’s extraordinary commitment to club saw him maintain and run the bookings and allocations of the Astro pitch from his hospital bed and to the awe of visitors, visits were interrupted as John negotiated or berated someone who previously booked and failed to show.
The Blessington club are indebted to the family members particularly John junior who took on the job of opening/closing and collecting the cash on behalf of their dad.
Club and county acknowledged John’s lifetime of service with two honorary awards this year. The club gave John the Blessington GAA Hall of Fame award while county gave the Wicklow GAA Lifetime Achievement award.
John was also very honoured to be acknowledged as club President.
In other areas John loved Punchestown, Tramore and Listowel and was a keen member of one of the local horse syndicates even if the horse failed to give much cheer. As a builder John spent his working career with Park Developments many of whom continued to stay in touch.
John was waked at home on Thursday and Friday last week and on being taken home on Thursday the cortege paid a visit to the Blessington GAA grounds.
The bunting and flags were flying and John arrived to applause from committee members, past and present and several players and members, all observing HSE protocols.
With the Magee family present, the cortege paused for several minutes before John exited the field for the last time .
On Saturday, players, members, supporters and members of the public lined the street from the church to the cemetery for the one kilometre walk, with the graveyard area flying lots of John’s beloved blue and white.
A curtailed guard of honour accompanied John down the street comprising his former team mates Andy Doran, John Coogan, Frank Byrne, Arthur Hennessy and club Chairman John Williamson and secretary Noreen Keegan Kavanagh.
Sincerest sympathy to his wife Kathleen and family, Chris, Noelle, Sarah, John and Patrick and sister Teresa, sons in law, daughters in law, grandchildren and great grandson on their huge loss. The club have lost one their great advocates, worker and supporter. People like John Magee are irreplaceable in clubs today.