Later Years - 1989 to 2004
In July 1989, I met Imelda (his eldest daughter) in London. We quickly fell in love and by October 1989, I had crossed over the Irish Sea to Ireland (my first visit), with Imelda, to meet her family. After stopping overnight at Rosslare, we continued to Athlone where I met her sister, Jacinta and her husband Nicky. The following day we all set off to met her parents and her brother Joseph and his wife Dorothy.
As we got closer to her home I slowed down as a car coming from the opposite direction was herding a small flock of sheep. I also noticed that a sheep was staring at me from the back of this car.
I made some smart comment about the situation (can't remember what it was now) and amid howls of laughter from the car I discovered that the car driver was Imelda's father, John Joe.
Afterwards we met more formally in the family home for tea. I found that he was a master of the small talk, patient and with good worldy knowledge, despite the fact that he had only visited England and France once in his lifetime. He spoke very softly and had a local Irish accent which I found difficult in the early days - until I got used to it. Many times he would say something to me which would make me give a look a quizzical look to Imelda, who would translate it to me using the same words, but in a clearer intonation.
That night we went to Glencastle lounge, ,Glinsk, where John Joe played his accordian and sang, while the rest of the family, drank, talked and danced the night away. A scene that was to be repeated many times over the next 15 years.
In August 2001, Imelda and I got married in Rochester, England.
John Joe made only his second departure from Ireland to join us for the ceremony. Afterwards, he played and sang for the wedding audience at our reception and it wasn't too long before the audience was joining him in the singing.
We both loved Ireland and naturally we decided that we wanted our honeymoon to be in Ireland. We visited the Ring of Kerry, Connemara and then made our way to Keelogues, where John Joe and Annie lived. When we arrived, there was a surprise party waiting for us, with many people who couldn't attend the wedding in England.
There was plenty of food and drink, plus dancing and singing with John Joe leading by example with his accordian and voice.
The following years consisted of visiting Ireland at least once and usually twice a year and every visit would involve a night visiting a pub to hear John Joe and his friends playing a "session" composed of traditional Irish music and singing.
On July 11th 2007 John Joe and Annie went to Glencastle lounge, Glinsk, where the local senior citizens party was taking place. It was Annie's birthday and they had a dance before John Joe started to prepare himself to play and sing for the party goers. During this time he collaspsed and despite attempts to resuscitate him, he died. We were in England at the time and the following day we returned.
His funeral was held on at Glinsk's church where he attended and sang as a member of the choir. He was buried at Glenamaddy Cemetry.