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Town mourns death of John McGuffin

FEW figures in the long industrial history of Drogheda have aroused by their passing: such a volume of regret as the late John McGuffin (pictured).

This Drogheda man of local parentage who worked from the ground up in Messrs. Donaghy and Company’s highly successful footwear industry to become eventually manager and a director of that firm on merit alone, was known and respected far beyond the boundaries of his native town, having in his later years direct business association with almost every part of Ireland, not to mention several parts of other countries including Canada, U.S.A., United Kingdom and West Germany.

Indeed the development of the company’s interests, both at home and abroad, was very largely due to his executive talents, his foresight, hard work and courage. Then there was his easy manner with strangers and acquaintances, whether in business conversation or just meeting socially. This manner, born of a natural charm and friendliness, was mainly what made John McGuffin such a likeable character.

Commencing with M/s. Donaghy 32 years ago as a “Clicker,” John soon became “Examiner” in the same department and after some time, supervisor In the press-room. His next promotion was to Production Manager, and then, in 1948, came his biggest break — General Manager of the industry.

A few years later this brilliant young Drogheda man was appointed to the firm’s Board of Directors. All through his managerial career the factory was on full time although many other Irish footwear firms had seasonable short time spells in every year over a considerable period.

His ability and influence were recognised in the footwear industry generally, especially as regards trade disputes, as could be gathered from the fact that he was a past president of the Federation of Boot and Shoe Manufacturers of Ireland, chairman of the Joint Industrial Council of the footwear industry in Ireland, a member of the Footwear Fashion Council, and a founder member of the Footwear Adaptation Association.

John McGuffln’s interest in the welfare of his workers was well known to all and this included a special interest in young- apprentices and’their training. No wonder indeed that over 300 of them, male and female, consider that by his untimely death in the early fifties they have lost a friend as well as a boss.