The parish of Killashee was deeply saddened last Friday, January 9 by the passing of Owen Johnston, Honorary Chairperson of St Brigid's Killashee GAA Club, in the loving care of the nurses and staff at Roscommon Hospice, following a short illness bravely borne with great courage and determination. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO Caption: Owen Johnston pictured with his wife Rosemary and special guest Marty Morrissey holding the Gerry Hennessy Cup at the St Brigid's Killashee celebrations following their Intermediate Championship success in 2016 Owen (or OJ as he was affectionately known) was a proud Gael and a highly respected figure within the GAA community. However, OJ’s devotion to his parish manifested itself on many levels throughout his life. One of his favourite sayings was ‘That’s it, just go and do it’ and his positive get up and go approach made the parish a better place to live, in so many ways, and the parish was a better place because he lived there. PICTURES | Back to back Longford intermediate kingpins Killashee celebrate historic season in considerable style He served as Chairperson and secretary of the local branch of the IFA as well as serving as Secretary of Longford County Executive IFA. OJ was also instrumental in the setting up of Community Alert in the parish and he served on the board of management of the National School for a number of years as well as serving on the Parish Pastoral Council. Owen didn't suffer fools gladly; he didn't mince his words and said it as he saw it. He was well known for his sharp wit, his innate business sense, his one liners, perhaps at times some of them unrepeatable. He was very single minded, lived his life very simply and honestly. He was a highly principled man, a man of great faith and conviction, immensely hard-working, full of love, kindness and goodness, a man of great personal integrity. PICTURES | A gallery of Longford black and white photographic gems from the archives ‘A Co Louth and proud man’, Owen served his apprenticeship
RIP: ‘A Louth and proud man’ who left an enduring legacy in Longford: Owen Johnston lived his life very simply and honestly
