Accomplished poet, family man and former Garda
JOHN (JJ) Sayers, Derrymore, Tralee, passed away peacefully on October 27, aged 89 years.
JJ, who was born to Mossie and Mary Sayers (nee O’Shea) in Derrymore East, Tralee, in 1927, was educated in Derryquay NS and CBS The Green.
He was accepted into An Garda Síochána in the Phoenix Park and was stationed in various parts of the country throughout his career.
JJ met his wife Josephine (nee Kennedy) from Tipperary in Templemore where he was stationed in the 1960s.They later married and had two sons.
He was a humble, unassuming man, who loved life. JJ was predeacesed by his wife Josephine who died young in 1993.
An environmentally-aware man, he loved to garden organically. He was also a passionate GAA fan and would regularly enquire with his son Neville, a phsical trainer, on the Kerry team’s progress.
JJ had poems published in literary journals and newspapers. He was a founding member of the Thurles Writers’ Group and one of the publications was Premier Pieces.
One of JJ’s proudest memories was being chosen to be part of the bodyguard team that protected an American ex-President on a visit to Ireland.
JJ was also passionate about cycling and in his younger days set off and completed a solo tour of Ireland on his road bike. Up to this summer he was working on putting together a hybrid bike, one suitable for a variety of terrains.
Another passion of JJ’s was his Triumph Herald car. He could strip down the engine and reassemble it after studying the technical manual.
He lived a long and fruitful life and is sadly missed by his sons, Neville and Mervyn, three grandchildren, Mark, Ciara and Aisling, sister Sr Philomena, daughter-in-law Carina, Aine, Liza, sister-in-law Maureen, nieces, nephews, former colleagues in An Garda Síochána, nursing home staff and residents and relatives at home and abroad. OBITUARIES