RIP: Longford mourns death of 'excellent fitter' and great community man John Lawlor

Leaving his native Portumna at a young age, he stopped to work in Athy where he met and married his wife Una, and we were very fortunate that they made his forever home with us when he came to work with Bord na Mona in the 60’s and they initially lived on The Green, Lanesboro, County Longford.

The death of John Lawlor, Rathcline, a day short of his 88th birthday, on Friday, March 20 at the Midlands Regional Hospital following a short illness was met with universal sadness throughout the community and further afield. 

He worked with Bord na Mona right up to his retirement age and not only was he extremely popular with his workmates but his unique personality warmed everyone he met and a meeting with John Lawlor was never ever forgotten.

He was renowned as an excellent fitter but it was in his garden that John really bloomed. He had an extensive garden that he was extremely proud of and he knew everything about every flower and shrub in the garden. He was always welcoming when anyone enquired about his garden and invariable they left with cuttings for their garden and instructions on planting.

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John had a matchless sense of fun and devilment and even enjoyed when it backfired on him. He was a community man from his arrival to the very end. He involved deeply himself in the Rathcline club as secretary and the Community Games as well as other community groups who could always depend on his support. He had a great kindness and gentleness and generous to the tip.

Pride of place was a very significant thing in John’s life – the glory years of his native Portumna (2003-2013) along with the achievements in Lanesboro made him very proud. 

He was a very determined man and one day, when living on the Green, he arrived home with a door knocker and Una asked him what he was going to do with it and his response was that he was going to build a house and over the next seven years he practically built his new home in Rathcline singlehandedly.

John will be forever remembered and sadly missed but with a smile rather than a frown for all the marvelous memories he left behind.

John reposed at his home on Sunday, March 22 and on Monday his remains were removed for his Requiem Mass at St Mary’s Church. Following Mass he was laid to rest in Clonbonny Cemetery.

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To his loving wife Una (nee Murphy), son's Shane, Ronan, Odhran and Evin, his daughter's in law Coleen, Carmel, Tara and Tara, his loving grandchildren, Cormac, Niamh, Imogen, Oisin and Isaac, his brothers Noel and Brendan, his sisters Kathleen and Marie, his sister-in-law Sheila, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and many friends, we extend our heartfelt sympathy.