John McNamara remembered as a beloved family man and esteemed businessman

There is much sadness in Donegal Town and beyond following the death of John McNamara.

A native of Adare, County Limerick, John lived in Orbeg, Donegal Town since the early 1970s when he took up employment in Flood’s garage. The hundreds of people who attended the wake in Tir Chonaill Funeral Home and shared stories and memories reflected the positive impact he had on his adopted community. He was recalled by many as a gentleman, someone who was quietly kind and supportive, a man of sharp wit and a great sense of humour.

Predeceased by his loving wife Lanna, his brother Tom, sisters Josephine and Betty, John will be forever missed his son Ciaran (Maureen) and daughter Siobhan (Eamon RIP), grandchildren James, Méabh, Aisling, Blaithín, Éadaoin and Emma, his brothers Pat, Michael, Brendan and Joseph, sisters Mary, Kitty, Esther, Chris and Bernadette, his brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.

Requiem Mass took place on Friday, June 12 in St Mary’s Church, Killymard.

The service began with John’s six grandchildren bringing symbols of his life to the altar. The first of these was his Hanna Hats cap with the Murvagh Golf Club crest, brought by James.

Parish Priest Fr James Sweeney said: “John loved his rounds of golf at Murvagh. Some of his closest friendships were forged there and he took great pride in representing the club in competition.”

Blaithín brought forward a sliotar.

“Hurling was the first sport that John played and he remained a lifelong Limerick fan,” said Fr Sweeney. “He was delighted to see them reclaiming the All Ireland after a 50-year hiatus, and more recently, their Munster Championship success on Sunday last, his 88th birthday.”

A miniature car was carried to the altar by Éadaoin.

The celebrant said: “John worked for much of his life in the motor trade. He always took a very pragmatic approach to cars - though he did enjoy the comfort and technology of modern models.”

Méabh brought forward a book of favourite poems.

“John enjoyed attending the House of Stories events in Ballyshannon and Donegal Town, and taking part by reading some of his favourite poems,” mourners were told.

As Aisling brought forward John’s well-worn remote control, there were smiles and gentle laughter among family members.

Fr Sweeney said: “John’s treat for himself upon his retirement was a flatscreen TV and a Sky Sports subscription. And somehow, there always seemed to be golf being broadcast from somewhere around the world.”

Emma took forward packets of seeds.

“John was at heart, a man of the land, and he was never afraid to try new things,” said the celebrant. “From staples such as spuds, carrots and cabbage to curly kale and giant marrows, he provided year round food for the family, with a particular treat being the delicious fresh strawberries.”

Early Life

Mourners heard that John was born 88 years ago, on June 7, 1938, the eldest of 13 children. Living in Bognor Regis in the south of England at the time of his birth, his parents Patrick and Catherine soon returned to their native Adare, County Limerick where John and his siblings grew up on the family’s dairy farm.

“Throughout his early years, he balanced school, farmwork and helping with the care of his beloved siblings,” said Fr Sweeney. “While skilled with his hands and being close to the land, he also excelled academically, securing a scholarship to study Agricultural Science at UCC.

“However, as was the way at that time, there were more pressing needs, and he took the boat to Liverpool at the age of 17. He worked in a number of jobs, most notably the large Ford dealership Skelly’s, a role which would shape his future career.

“His years in Liverpool were an important and cherished period of his life. Many of his siblings also lived in the city, so he had a close family circle there. It was an exciting time to be in Liverpool, witnessing such major cultural events as the rise of The Beatles and the famous 1966 World Cup. As a sports fan, he loved being able to attend some of the matches and meet the players.

Return to Ireland

“It was in Liverpool that John met his wife Lanna, a young teacher from Clones, County Monaghan. The couple married in 1964 and had two children, Ciaran and Siobhán. While they had a good life in Liverpool, Ireland was calling, and thanks to an ad in the Irish Press, John secured a job in Flood’s garage, Donegal Town. He made lifelong friends during his many years there.

“John also worked for a time in the Northern Garage and helped establish Sligo Autofactors in Donegal Town, a business which he would later take over and run as John’s Autofactors until his retirement.”

John had moved to Donegal ahead of the rest of the family, with the goal of finding a family home. He bought a site from the Irwin family in the townland of Orbeg in the foothills of the Bluestack Mountains.

Fr Sweeney told those gathered: “This proved to be an incredible blessing, not only because it was a beautiful place to live and to raise a young family, but also because the Orbeg community were the best neighbours that anyone could wish for.”

John had many interests in life. He loved his Sunday mornings on the golf course at Murvagh, and enjoyed the competition circuit after he retired.

The celebrant continued: “With a razor-sharp mind, he loved games of skill, particularly chess, cards and Scrabble - though I am told he could be a bit of a rascal when it came to Scrabble. Some of the words he placed on the board with great conviction could not be found in any dictionary!”

John never lost touch with his love of the land, and along with Lanna who was a keen gardener, kept a well tended and varied vegetable garden, as well as fruit trees and flower gardens.

“His grandchildren brought him great joy - Aisling, Blaithín, Éadaoin, Emma, James and Méabh, “ said Fr Sweeney. “He loved spending time with them, and they adored him.”

John was devastated by Lanna’s death in 2013 but was determined to pick himself up and carry on with life, mourners heard.

“He was blessed to find companionship and love a second time,” said the celebrant. “He and Moira enjoyed their time together, travelling and attending social events such as dancing and story-telling gatherings, till she too was called suddenly from this world.”

John’s health began to deteriorate, and he had some lengthy spells in hospital, particularly over the last year.

“While this brought physical and emotional struggles for John, he endeavoured to remain positive, courteous, and grateful to those who cared for him as home helps and in the hospital,” said Fr Sweeney.

“It is testament to the entire team in Donegal Town Community Hospital that last week, when he knew the end was close, he chose to end his days there in dignity and comfort.

Legacy

“John’s greatest legacy is the love that he had for his family - his children and grandchildren, his siblings and their families, his in-laws who he loved as his own,” said the celebrant.

“It is also in the great kindness and support that he quietly gave to people, always without fuss or fanfare. From delivering meals on wheels and always checking in with those who were receiving them, to his support of parish projects here in Killymard, to countless quiet ways in which he helped people in time of need, his good deeds were many.

“Through his voluntary role as a development officer with Active Retirement Ireland, he worked tirelessly and passionately to ensure that older people had a meaningful voice, a good quality of life, and were not left behind by changing technology.

“John will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

“The family are most grateful to Dr Kardos and his team, the staff at Donegal Community Hospital and Letterkenny University Hospital, his home help carers, and everyone involved in his care over the last few years.”

Fr Sweeney said that he had chosen the Gospel reading for the Mass with John in mind.

“‘When I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty, you gave me drink, when I was a stranger, you made me welcome.’

“With all his good, charitable works, especially meals on wheels, visiting the sick and looking after the hungry, I thought that Gospel would be very appropriate,” he said.

The parish priest also drew attention to John’s work within the Killymard community.

“I want to acknowledge his contribution to the parish community, being involved in the development of the church here and also involved in the fundraising for the replacement of the roof,” he said.

“It is important to acknowledge those things today because the people of the past make us the people that we are today. They hand on to us something very valuable and hopefully we can also share our talents and gifts with those who need them most.

“We commend his soul to God, and we can hear those lovely words of Christ himself, ‘Well done good and faithful servant; welcome to your homeland in Heaven.’”

Following the funeral Mass, the cortege proceeded to Cavan for cremation, pausing outside the former premises of John’s Autofactors on Bridge Street, Donegal Town.

Eulogy

At the crematorium in Cavan, John’s daughter Siobhán thanked those who had travelled, and welcomed those watching online including John’s brothers Pat and Brendan.

She said: “When someone dies, each of us loses a different version of them. This is mine:

“My earliest memories of my father are holding his big, strong hands. I was safe and warm and loved.

“I remember him carrying me on his back to bed many an evening. That would be after the Rosary, when we would have all knelt down, each with our own decade to recite. Daddy would kneel in such a way that his head was resting comfortably on the cushions of his favourite armchair. And sometimes when it came to his decade, there would be silence - usually broken by a loud snore. I always found this to be very funny.

“Daddy was a hard worker. He didn’t make excuses or let things get on top of him no matter what was going on, and from him I learned that you get up and show up, and it all gets a little bit easier after that.

“Daddy had a great sense of humour and a unique way of looking at the world. He had a deep empathy for people from all walks of life, understanding that the common ground that makes us human far outweighs any differences.

“Over the last few days we have heard so many stories about his kindness, his goodness, his wit and his mischievousness. They will all be cherished equally.

“Daddy loved children, and he enjoyed encouraging their innocent sense of wonder at the world, both real and imaginary. I remember on one occasion when he and my mother brought all the grandchildren to a soft play centre, a little girl from another party was heard to say, ‘Can we bring that grandad home?’ We were so blessed that he was ours.

“I learned so much from my father - how to plant seeds, how to fish, how to play chess, how to drive, to check my oil, to change a wheel; how, when big emotions could not be shared in words, to sit in silence and give the gift of presence. He did this for me many times over the years, and I for him.

“Those times, good and bad, when he sat and held my hand in his - as big and strong and safe as when I was a little girl - will continue to give me comfort and strength for the rest of my days.”

Music for the cremation service was selected by John’s son Ciaran. A talented musician, Ciaran shared with his father a deep appreciation for the music of John’s fellow Adare man, Seán Ó Riada. The music played at the crematorium included the beautiful instrumental piece, The Limerick Lament.

The family would also like to acknowledge Herta Kelly’s evocative rendition during the funeral Mass of one of John’s favourite hymns Ag Críost an Síol, an Irish poem set to music by Ó Riada.

John’s family are most grateful to Herta for all the music during the Mass, to Fr James Sweeney PP, Sharon Herron and Mary Teresa Lawne, the altar servers, those who took part in the Mass, those who attended or watched online, the Kelly family at Tir Chonaill Funeral Home, for everyone who attended the funeral home or sent messages of condolences, and sent food or lent a helping hand in any way.

They have a particular word of thanks for everyone involved in John’s care at home and in hospital, and for funeral directors Enda and Seamus Faulkner for making a very difficult time as easy as it could be in the circumstances.

The family said: “We will be eternally grateful for the kindness shown to us by so many people during this difficult time.”