John was ‘a gentleman and a good neighbour’

People in Nenagh were left shocked and saddened by the passing of a local man, who died following a road crash in in the town on Wednesday night week last.

Emergency services and gardaí responded to a single vehicle crash on the Old Dublin Road after 10.10pm.

The driver was discovered unresponsive at the scene. He later named as John (Jaffa) Hogan, aged in his 40s, and a married father of four, from Drom Slinne, Portroe.

John received medical treatment before being transferred to University Hospital Limerick were it was officially confirmed that he had passed away.

John Hogan was a highly popular man - not only in Nenagh where he was educated in the local vocational school - but also  in both Portroe, were he lived, and in the parish of Toomevara where he grew up.

John was a highly respected man in Nenagh, said Cllr Seamus Morris.

Councillor Morris, said of John:  “He was a larger than life character.

“He was a big Toomevara GAA supporter and he was very much part of the agricultural contractor community,” Cllr Morris added.

The Independent councillor said there was a sense of shock in Nenagh as John was a young man who was very much rooted in the community.

‘A GENTLEMAN’

Many people have expressed great sadness at his premature death. One described John as “a gentleman, a good friend and a good neighbour and worker.”

“He will be greatly missed by everyone that knew him. May he rest easy in the arms of the angels.”

A former work colleague wrote: “Johnny, I have great memories of working with you in the mill, we had great laughs…You are in our thoughts and prayers. You will be missed by everyone who knew you; while your presence will be gone, our memories of you will live forever.”

Another who knew John, who was endearingly known as “Jaffa”,  described him as “a great worker”.  “He was a kind, sweet gentleman - and never a complaint. Gone too soon.”

‘A JOY TO MEET’

One mourner said John “was such a joy to meet” and someone who always had “a laugh and a smile”.

Another wrote: “Jaffa was one of a kind - always happy and a very proud family man. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

John  played a vital part in helping to promote the highly popular and sucessful annual parade of tractors through the streets of Nenagh at Christmas time. The group, Christmas Tractors Nenagh, took to social media to express their sympathy to the wife, children and all the extended family of the man they called their “dear friend” and “valued member”. Posting a photograph of John promoting a past Christmas Tractors event, they said Jaffa was a valued member of the group.

“His unexpected and untimely passing has left us all in shock as he was a larger than life character,” the post read.

“He was involved in Christmas Tractors Nenagh from the beginning and was always available to help and was very generous with his time.”

John was predeceased by his beloved brother Peter and father Sean. His passing is deeply regretted by his loving wife Mary and his cherished children Shauna, John, Leah and Peter and their partners; his mother Sarah, sisters, Sandra and Lynette and brother Jason.

He is also survived by aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours and many great friends who are all sorely feeling his loss.

May John rest in peace.