O'Shea B John
January 27, 2011The death took place on January 16th of John B O'Shea, Owenagarry Lodge, Killorglin. Born on August 12, 1926, John attended his local national school in Cahersiveen and then furthered his education in St.Colman's College in Fermoy.
He followed in his father's footsteps and began his financial career in The Munster and Leinster Bank (later to become part of AIB) in 1946. He worked in diverse locations such as Kilmallock, Dunmanway, Kenmare, Mitchelstown, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tralee and Roscommon - where he was appointed manager in 1970 - and finally Killorglin in 1978. During his time he witnessed huge changes in the banking systems and retired in 1988 after 42 years of service.
He then continued his connections with finance when joining FEXCO in Killorglin that year and worked there for another 16 years until finally retiring in 2004.
During his busy and varied career, he found time to meet and marry his beloved Kathleen (nee O'Donnell, The Kerries, Tralee) and the happy couple married in 1957. They were blessed with Timothy, Christine, (Kerry Rose selection 1981) and youngest son Aidan.
He was devoted to many sports, from playing football with St. Colman's lining out in the All-Ireland College Football Final in 1944 where he marked the late Tommy Moriarty of AIB - to captaining the golf clubs in Kenmare (1956), Mitchelstwon (1965) and Dooks (1985). He was elected captain of Kerry Golf Clubs in 1989, serving as president of Dooks in 1997.
He was a founder of the Billy O'Sullivan Shield for Kerry clubs and a founder-member of the Kerry seniors Golf. His devotion to the game was known throughout the country and he made innumerable friendships as a result. His organisational skills left a lasting memory among those who worked with him during his long career.
In GAA his first allegiance was to Cork and then Kerry and he was a loyal supporter of Munster and the Irish rugby teams. A fine athlete, he played inter-county tennis in the early 1960's.
He also devoted his time to many charitable causes as a fundraiser and helped many sporting organisations. He was also a member of The Irish Handicapped Children on many occasions.
Removal took place on Monday from Flynn's Funeral Home, Killorglin, to St James' Church, Killorglin. Burial took place on Tuesday in Ardmoniel Cemetery.
May he rest in peace
Courtesy of Kerry's Eye 27/1/11 Tweet
