The late John J McElligott John died very peacefully at home with his family on December 7 2006, following illness fought with courage and dignity. John lived a very full and active life. He was a great family man. He loved his work, his recreation, his charitable work and his fellow man and county. John was a great church man. He was a daily mass-goer, a church reader, and a Eucharistic minister for many years. He also volunteered with St Vincent de Paul. He graduated from UCD in 1949. As a young engineer he worked with ESB in the erection of power stations in Caherciveen and Milltown Malbay, Co. Clare. He then worked with Donegal, Limerick, Galway and Cork County Councils before being appointed Chief Planning Officer in his beloved Kerry. He carried out his work in a very professional and efficient manner and was fair, approachable and honest and was liked and respected for this by all who came into contact with him. John was a great community man. He was a founder member and early chairman of Na Gaeil GAA club and founder of the Oakpark Residents Association. It was John who suggested the name "Ard na Lee" which was accepted unanimously by the residents at the time. He started the '71 Bridge Club'. John gave his time and his organisational skills and insight freely and willingly to very many people. He loved sport especially Gaelic Football and Golf. He was a member of Killarney Golf Club for 50 years, as well as Tralee, Dooks and Waterville. John was happiest at home surrounded by his wife and family who loved him dearly. In latter years his adored grandchildren became a source of great entertainment for him. He got wonderful pleasure celebrating family occasions. His kindness to and friendship with so many people from various walks of life was evident by the huge crowds who came to his home and attended his funeral Mass concelebrated by Fr Padraigh Walsh and Canon Eoin Mangan on December 9, 2006. John was a true gentleman. He will be very sadly missed by Helen, Anne, Mary and John, his grandchildren, sons in law Noel and Dermot and daughter in law Maria, extended family and many friends. Ni beidh a leithid ann aris. Courtesy of The Kerryman 20 December 2006 Tweet

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