The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Master of all trades whose life revolved around family
JOHN Joe McElligott of Lartigue View, Clieveragh, Listowel passed away peacefully on June 27 surrounded by his family at Listowel Community Hospital.
John Joe was born in Duagh Village on July 8, 1929. John Joe was the eldest son of Patrick and Mary Patricia McElligott.
There were 11 children in the family. One by one his brothers and sisters all flew the nest to England and America but John Joe was the only one who stayed at home.
John Joe’s favourite hobby was fishing – catching salmon and white trout. He also liked playing cards especially the game 41. John Joe also played Gaelic football for Duagh in his youth.
John Joe courted his future beautiful wife Maura for a few years and they were finally married in September 1964 in St Mary’s Church, Listowel. Upon their return from their honeymoon, they moved into their house in Lartigue View, Listowel.
Over the years they had four children, Patrick and Patricia (twins), Catriona and Moira. John Joe’s life revolved around the love of his family, working hard, maintaining the land, setting vegetables and going to the bog.
John Joe was a master of all trades, he could turn his hand to any job at hand and was well sought after within the community of Listowel.
John Joe loved to have a pint of Guinness and to have a chat with the locals after a hard days work.
John Joe had a strong passion for the Listowel Emmets Football Club and was actively involved in the club committee. He worked long hours in his spare time on improving the pitch and clubhouse. He never missed a county Kerry game with ‘Kerry Abu’.
John Joe is greatly missed by his wife Maura, his son Patrick and daughters Patricia, Catriona and Moira, grandchildren, Declan, Shane, Jessica, Maura, Casey, Megan, Patrick and Sean, great-grandchildren, Keely, Rory and Liam and by his brothers, sisters and cousins.
John Joe will also be missed by many of his friends who kindly paid their respects at his removal and funeral.
His family would also like to thank Listowel Community Hospital for the care and attention given to John and also Lyons Funeral Home for all their help at such a difficult time.
John Joe McElligott was a wonderul man, a gentleman with a big heart, a fantastic father and grandfather. He was a living legend.