Richard Johnston

RICHARD Johnston, Cloonternane, Knock, who died recently after a brief illness, was widely known and greatly respected in farming circles. A kind and good-natured gentleman, he spent all his life in his beloved parish of Knock and his passing evoked widespread sadness and regret.

Dick, as he was affectionately known to many in the area, was the second eldest of a family of eight born to James Johnston and his wife Ellen Morley. He married Sheila Cunnane from Carraun, Claremorris and they raised a family of four sons.

Blessed with an instinctive knowledge of the land and livestock, Dick had a great love for the farming way of life. He was one of those people whom it would be hard to envisage adapting to life in a city. For Dick, nothing was more natural that the great outdoors and being close to nature in all its manifestations.

He was an excellent judge of stock and was well known at the fairs in earlier times and at the marts in the decades that were to follow. His opinion was much respected for it was gleaned from an inherited knowledge known only to those whose lives are close to nature and shaped by the land and the seasons.

For many years the family have been associated with the milk business and, to this day, they still supply milk to the creamery in Ballaghaderreen, among the last of the full-time farming families in the parish to do so. He was a member of the committee of NCF in Ballyhaunis and was also an active member of the Knock branch of the IFA down through the years.Dick had a great knowledge of the local families in the parish, having spent his life among them. He had a fine grasp of the social history of the region and was very loyal to his family tree and the extended family circle of relations and friends. For him, such matters were important and he never forgot his roots. He loved to meet neighbours and relations on social occasions in Knock and always enjoyed the chat and banter.

He took a keen interest in GAA matters and was a good supporter of Mayo in former times. In later years, he always enjoyed watching the Sunday Game on RTE and following the progress of the championships on television and radio.

A man of strong faith, Richard was ever true to his Christian upbringing which had deep roots in Knock parish. He was a regular at the 10.30am Mass in Knock every Sunday down through the years and also attended other ceremonies at the Shrine on a regular basis.One of the fine old stock of the parish, he had a kind welcome for everyone. He was devoted to Sheila and his family and was truly one of nature’s gentleman. Richard was a big man with a generous heart and he will be fondly remembered by his family and many friends.

Removal took place from the Marian Funeral Home to Knock Church with interment in the local cemetery following Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Richard Gibbons who delivered a lovely homily which was much appreciated by the Johnston family.

Richard is deeply regretted by his wife, Sheila, and sons, James (Churchfield), Richard (Wicklow), Michael (Cloonternane) and Thomas (Athlone); daughters-in-law, Breda, Clare and Nicola; grandchildren, Amy, Ciara, Liam, Rúairí and Ellen; sisters, Bridie (America), Marie (America), Sr Helen and Sr Louis (Devon), Peg O’Connell (Ballyfarna) and Noreen Jennings (Ballyhowley); brother, Tom (London); nephews and nieces; in-laws, relatives, neighbours and friends.