John McDonnell, R.I.P.

John McDonnell, R.I.P.

I heard earlier today that John McDonnell died.  He was my father’s first cousin and a native of Fauleens, Monasteraden.  Daddy and John were in Coolavin school together.  John, his wife Teresa and some of his family attended my ordination.  A few years later I went to visit John and Teresa in White Plains, New York and felt very welcome in their home.  I have fond memories of my times with them and their family.  I have met him nearly every year and always felt that sense of welcome.  “Boy, your room is always there”, he’d tell me and I know he meant it.

John had a phrase that used puzzle me “Between you and I …. ”  The first few times he said it to me I panicked thinking this was a family secret that I’d have to carry to my grave 🙂  I realised, in time, it was just a phrase – nothing to it but it meant he wanted to talk about something.  He maintained a great interest in home and a love for home.  Sadly, in more recent years, he was unable to travel to Ireland but regular calls from his nephew Seán, letters and more kept him in touch.

I want just to mention him here – to record his death on my little piece of cyberspace.  A lot have gone in the past two years – they’re all missed.  John is now numbered among them.

May he rest in peace.

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