An Appreciation - In memory of Jack Lee, Aghacashel

It was with great sadness that the news of Jack’s death was received in Aghacashel and far beyond. To say that he was the quintessential business, community and family man would be an understatement.

Jack steered his local community unselfishly and effortlessly through many changes over the years in how they conducted their business and how they communicated with the outside world.

Anything from a list of grocery requirements to a request to send a telegram bearing bad news was dealt with sensitively by Jack.

He was master of all means of transport over his lifetime from a taxi service taking emigrants on the first leg of their voyage to the undertaking business taking people on their last journey.

He witnessed people arrive on foot from the mountain areas to the shop for their provisions, to collect pensions or parcels from America or to get calls made for a doctor, vet or A.I.

man. It seemed unlikely then that a time would come when he’d guide people up the mountain to walk just for pleasure.
Jack loved music and any mention of singers or bands transported him back to the dancing days he so enjoyed.

Not surprising that one of the many local activities he supported and proudly took part in was the Kiltubrid Pipe Band. He was as comfortable marching down 5th Avenue with them as he was attending in the shop.
Waiting to be served in Lee’s shop in the busier days was never unpleasant.

You’d be a long time queuing in Lidl or Aldi before a manager would ask someone to sing a song to entertain the waiting customers.

It took Jack to come up with that. As a result it was not unknown for a song like “The Mountains of Pomeroy” to ring out towards the Iron Mountain.

The constant complaints we hear nowadays about the stress of working long hours, of dealing with the public while raising a family was never a problem for Jack.

His door was always open, Jack at his post with a smile on his face and his very successful large family speaks for itself.
Jack’s greatness was in his ordinariness. He was moderate in all things with a wonderful sense of humour. A pillar of the community. I was enriched and privileged to have been his friend.

A light has gone out. An icon has left us.

May the soil of his beloved Kiltubrid rest easy on him and may his noble soul rest in peace.

To Marie, the love of Jack’s life, their family and extended family I offer my sincere condolences.

Submitted by Brendan Harvey.