End of an era as Longford folk pay tribute to retiring Moydow school bus driver Johnny Murray
The community of Moydow came together last Sunday afternoon to mark the end of an era and pay tribute to kind hearted and diligent school bus driver Johnny Murray who has retired from Bus Éireann.
After 42 years dedicated service bringing children safely to and from Ardagh national school and Longford town secondary schools, Johnny’s remarkable contribution was recognised.
He had a couple of different routes for secondary school but has always brought the children in the Moydow area to St Mel’s NS, Ardagh and Tuesday, March 7 was his last day.
As parents and pupils reminisced in recent days about Johnny’s commitment, one thing that came to the forefront was how obliging he was.
On a morning where a car might not start or roads may have been icy causing delays, children would arrive at their pick up point to find Johnny patiently waiting. He never left a child stranded even though it may have made his shift longer.
A great advocate for the youth, Johnny was in Foróige for years and this spilled over into his career as a bus driver. He thoroughly enjoyed meeting all these young people on a daily basis.
When the younger national school children celebrated a birthday, the celebrations began when they got on Johnny's bus that morning. Firstly, happy birthday was sung by all on board and then the birthday boy or girl got the privilege of sitting at the front of the bus. If there was ever anyone suited to this career it was Johnny and his shoes will be hard to fill.
He has been a huge part in the life of all the children in the Moydow area for the last four decades, getting them all to and from school every day safely. He kept the children entertained when needed by telling them jokes, riddles and lots of stories and they always stopped at O’Donnell’s shop in Ardagh for sweets on the last day of school each year. Even when O’Donnell’s shop closed he always had sweets for the children at Christmas.
He has brought two and even three generations of the same families to school and there are not too many people who can say that.
Johnny has been such a massive part in the life of so many families and will be sorely missed by people in the Moydow area. He is very involved in drama, dancing and singing so now he will have more time to enjoy these wonderful pastimes.
His wife Bridie, sons Seán, Ciaran and David will be delighted to have him home more. We wish him all the very best in his retirement and may he have health and happiness to enjoy it.