Large crowd gathers to pay final respects to John
IT was a sad occasion at St Aidan’s Cathedral on Thursday as friends and family gathered to bid a fond and final farewell to 55-year-old John ‘Chalks’ Leacy, who passed the previous Sunday after a short illness.
John, formerly of 60 Gimont Avenue and Patrick’s Street, Enniscorthy, had bravely battled cancer for just over a year before finally succumbing to illness, much to the devastation of his partner Annette, family and friends. ‘He battled it bravely up to the end,’ said Annette. ‘They only gave him six to nine months and he managed to stick it out for 13.’
John was one of nine children born to parents John and Margaret. He was born in St Aidan’s and was reared in Patrick Street alongside his siblings Bridget, twin brother Jimmy, Margaret, Patricia, Nancy, Thomas, Catherine and the late PJ. He received his schooling locally and eventually moved to England where he lived for years, spending time in London where he worked as a kitchen porter.
John returned to Enniscorthy 13 years ago following the passing of his father and worked a variety of jobs. A real jack of all trades, he could turn his hand to anything. He was a loving father to five children, four girls and a boy, all of whom now live in Liverpool in the UK and were saddened by his loss.
Ten years ago, John met Annette and the pair set up a home together at Gimont Avenue where he lived up until his passing.
John had a great love of sports and kept a keen eye on the football, particularly his beloved Arsenal, and the horses, enjoying the odd flutter. He was a great social personality and was highly thought of among those who knew him best. A crowd gathered at St Aidan’s Cathedral on Thursday to pay their respects and bid a final farewell. After a moving service, John was laid to rest at St Mary’s Cemetery.
John is survived by his beloved partner Annette; children Joanne, Jamie, Karen, Kate and Danny; mother Margaret; siblings Bridget, Jimmy, Margaret, Patricia, Nancy, Thomas and Catherine; Annette’s children Natasha and Andrew, aunts, uncles, sistersin-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and a large circle of friends on both sides of the Irish Sea. May he rest in peace.