‘An inspiration to us all’
The local community was saddened at the recent loss of another of its most successful sons, John Powell of Ballinaclough.
Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and former Senior Steward of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, John achieved so much in his life, despite being confined to a wheelchair for most of it. He was injured in an accident in 1971, shortly after graduating from UCD with a degree in veterinary medicine.
But John never looked for sympathy and never allowed disability to define him. Inspired to a great extent by his father, the renowned vet and centenarian Jack Powell – to whom John was always very close – he went on to forge a remarkable career, first in his father’s practice, then in an administrative role with the Dept of Agriculture.
He became President of the Irish Veterinary Association and Veterinary Council of Ireland. His fellowship with the RCVS, which recognises veterinarians that have made outstanding contributions to the profession through clinical practice, knowledge or service, was awarded in 1993.
‘RUFFLED A FEW FEATHERS’
John loved horses and was a regular attendee at all the major race tracks in Ireland and Cheltenham for more than 20 years. In 1994 he was elected to the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee, serving as steward of the committee between 1999 and 2002. He was appointed senior steward in December 2014.
In 2016 he was appointed to the board of Horse Racing Ireland; he was reappointed in 2020. Delivering the eulogy at John’s funeral service last month, his close friend of more than 30 years Brian Hanly believed the Ballinaclough man “may have ruffled a few feathers” during his time on the board. “Good on you, John. He was certainly a busy man.”
‘A POWERHOUSE OF KNOWLEDGE’
Mr Hanly outlined his friend’s many and varied interests and pursuits, from rugby and cricket – both of which he played in his youth – to his love of telling jokes and his “beautiful command of the English language” – John “wrote like a scribe”, Mr Hanly told those gathered for the funeral at St Mary’s Church in Nenagh.
“He was a historian and a lover of poetry, as we know, and I suppose given the amount he must have read over the years, he was a powerhouse of knowledge on all matters, be it current affairs, politics, local or international, and sport.”
John was also a “very social character”, who liked nothing more than receiving guests at his home at Quarry Hill, Ballinaclough, where he and his wife Mary lived for many years.
They met while John was a patient at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire. Mary was working there as a physiotherapist. A relationship began, prospered, and they remained a great couple forever after.
‘MENTAL RESILIENCE’
Mr Hanly said that Mary and John were fortunate to have had the services of Liam Burke, who was a constant companion to John and looked after his needs both inside and outside the house for so many years. On Mary’s behalf, he acknowledged the care team led by Bridget Burns, all the public health nurses that called on John, and doctors Paul O’Farrell and Colm O’Reilly.
“Your mental resilience over the last 54-and-a-half years and in particular the last two years has been nothing short of remarkable,” Mr Hanly said of his friend. “I am sure there is no one in the church today who could have come anywhere close to matching it. You have been an inspiration to us all.”
John’s death occurred on Friday, February 27, just shy of his 78th birthday. Predeceased by his parents Jack and Sheila, he is deeply missed by his loving wife Mary, brothers Charles and Richard, nieces Rebecca, Sarah and Nicole; nephew Richard, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives and many friends.
Following the funeral service at St Mary’s on March 3, John was laid to rest at Toomevara Church of Ireland cemetery. May he rest in peace.
May he rest in peace.