Johnny had a great love of country life
THE community of Bree was saddened by the recent passing of Johnny Dawson. Johnny passed away on January 20 having spent the last four and a half years in the loving care of the staff at St John’s Hospital in Enniscorthy.
Johnny was born in Carrig, Bree on May 27, 1933, to parents Mick and Bridget Dawson. He spent many happy years growing up in Carrig with his sisters Nancy and Mary. Following Johnny’s marriage to Breda O’Sullivan, a native of Bantry, West Cork and a primary teacher in Bree National School, he moved half a mile up the road to build his own family home with his wife where they both happily lived for 54 years, having raised their 5 children.
Johnny was a carpenter by trade and spent all his life working as a builder. In his spare time he loved to go fishing and shooting. He loved the country way of life and was a great animal lover always having cats and dogs as companions. Johnny and Breda bred and raced many greyhounds and took great delight whenever they managed to raise a winner. They both loved to go to the races where they enjoyed a flutter or two.
Johnny loved to tell stories and sing songs. He sang ‘The West Awake’ at Dawson’s Pub Talent where he brought the house down. As the years went on he sang at a number of different events when given the opportunity.
Johnny was a keen football player and strong back. He was very proud to have played with his local club Ballyhogue with whom he managed to win 3 county senior medals in 1962, 63, & 64. His senior medals were his prized possessions.
A fun loving character and a jolly man, Johnny will be missed by his children Michael, Roisin, Gerard, Sandra and Shane, sonin-law James, daughter-in-law Melissa and his four grandchildren Conor, Anna, Michael and Mark, relatives and a large circle of friends.
May he rest in peace.