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May posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
David and I first met John for the first time at auntie May’s house. We had decided to go to Ireland to meet Auntie May for the first time.
On arrival we stayed in a hotel in Grafton Street. The following day we traveled to Navon C/Meath and eventually found May,s house. Not knowing what to expect we called in, we were delighted by lovely Auntie May’s reception.
Later, May told us that John ha flown from America and would be visiting later, within 1/2 hour in walked John as large as life and we hit it off immediately, we chatted as though we had known him all our live.
My first impression was that he was a nice guy and how much he looked like family.
John took us around locally and John enthusiastically gave us a lecture on local history. We called in to a cafe and of course, he wanted to know more about all our family.
Later, with regret, we had to catch the plane back to Wales. Later we were delighted to learn that John and Eamonn had arrangeD to come to Wales to meet everyone and stay with us. It turned out to be a lovely time.
We will never forget John and he will always be in our hearts.
May and David
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Kristen posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
My dear Uncle Johnny, who taught me about the solstices and Gaelic tradition, and the more modern arts, always meeting me where I was - even as a preteen and sharing terrible post millennial internet art like the hamster dance. The song is etched in my mind forever.
I love you and miss you dearly. May you rest in peace in body, your spirit lives on in all of us.
P
Paul Clarke posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Johnny was a dear friend of the family and loved by all who knew him. In the 38 years of being Paul Jnr's godfather he never missed sending card or a message on his birthday. He will be sorely missed by all. Lots of love and best wishes to all in NJ!
Paul Snr, Paul Jnr and all the Clarke family from Abbey Road, Navan.
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Randy Miller posted a condolence
Monday, September 28, 2020
When John got off the boat from Ireland in 1972 (I don’t think airplanes had been invented yet) it was my good fortune to have been one of the first natives to meet him. We immediately hit it off, which is not surprising given we shared all the same hobbies at the time: partying, chasing girls (always over the legal limit) and .... did I mention partying and girls? It was an exciting and profound time, too bad it only lasted a mere 10 or 15 years... And then we tried to “grow up”, with varying degrees of success. The other things we did during and after those early times were memories that will never die: driving all over creation to go to countless great concerts, outdoor events, McSorley’s in NYC (the oldest bar in the US, in part I’m sure due to our patronage!), the Irish Cultural Center and later CBGBs, also both in the City. Since John didn’t drive until later in his life (thankfully) I was the chauffeur and somehow always managed to get us to our destinations and back safely, only the Lord knows how!
John taught me about Ireland and Gaelic, the horrible British repression of his people and their language, and words I had never heard before. Unfortunately I found out later that most of them were curse words, so while I’ll leave them to your imagination I’m proud to say that I, as well our other “best friend” David Black, use them in our vocabularies to this day.
John was very intelligent and complex in many ways. He could make you laugh over things big and small, and give you new and novel ways to look at things. He took enormous pride in his family’s accomplishments. He was a passionate fan of Science Fiction and could describe and even quote more science fiction books and articles than I knew existed. Due to this passion he was particularly proud of his cousin Neal’s extraordinary and truly world renowned prolific writing and editing in the world of Science Fiction.
John was always there for me throughout the years whenever I needed to talk, and I strove to always be there for him. He soon became part of our family, loved by my Mother, Sister, my daughter and my nieces. When John attended family events there were few if any no shows because Johnny would be in attendance!
One of the things I loved the most about John was that as a true “character” he had his share of contradictions as many of us do. He could be opinionated on some things and very open minded on others. If he loved you he loved you, if he didn’t it rarely remained a secret. He was incredibly loyal. Like many others he had an addictive personality, and I shared some of them with him. Early on we drank too much, gambled too much and embraced, likely more than others, some of the other indulgences of our generation. As we hit our 30s and 40s we abandoned most of those bad habits, surely adding years to our lives. John’s gambling career morphed into buying regular lottery tickets, which gave me some comfort that organized crime wouldn’t be making threats on his life!
The only addiction John could never beat, sadly, was cigarettes, which in the end greatly contributed to his untimely death. Cigarette smoking took my Mother’s life too. All I can say is Damn those things, it was the only habit he couldn’t beat. What I wouldn’t give for a longer and healthier life for my friend.
So here’s to my favorite and totally irreplaceable friend, to the many strengths and weaknesses that made him who he was, to his amazing humor and creative philosophy of life, to his enormously caring and loving heart and soul that he’s left behind in all of us. We love you John and will miss you terribly, you glorious Irishman! May your Soul Soar and your body Rest In Peace! There won’t be another like you, in this Universe at least.
Peace.
Billy Bagwash Thomas uploaded photo(s)
Monday, September 28, 2020
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You didn’t give us a last farewell, Nor said, good bye.
You were gone, before we knew it.
In life we loved you dearly, in death we will love you still.
There is a place in my heart that no one will fill.
My heart is broken losing, you so soon.
So many unanswered questions, we had for each other.
I will miss our emails, and you educating me on art.
Especially Album covers.
Good bye for now my big brother
(I was lucky to have a photo of us all, Brothers & Sisters together)
RIP John
All my love Billy
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Ffion lit a candle
Monday, September 28, 2020
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I never had the pleasure of meeting John but knowing how much he meant to the family shows how much of a good person he was. I know he'll be missed by many people. Much love to everyone
Ffion
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Carol Elliott lit a candle
Monday, September 28, 2020
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Rest in Peace Johnny
From Carol, Mark, Naoise & Zak Elliott
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rachelcahalane@mac.com posted a condolence
Monday, September 28, 2020
My beautiful Uncle John. How I wish you every happiness where ever you are! I remember the first time I met you, we were at a family gathering to initiate you into our hidden dysfunctional family The feeling I took away from that meeting was warmth, and I was glad you had made the trip to find us all and happy that you had chosen to make the effort.
Then came a day when I found myself searching for who I was and where I was going and I made a phone call.
‘Can I come and stay with you for a short time?’ ‘Get a flight to Newark not JKF’ I was told… so I did!
‘I can’t house you but Eamon and Joan will, they have the room’ you said.
Lovely Aunti Joan and Uncle Eamon, how great were they to welcome me (a stranger) into their home and family! I learnt a lot about you on that short trip. That the USA was uninviting to get into, even though I flew first class (I had an upgrade!) and was escorted by a teacher of theology who sat next to me the whole way (almost holding my hand) and guided me to see you. What a bitter sweet time that turned out to be. But I learnt about you and that you had made mistakes too. I learnt your compassion for life. I got a glimpse of who you were before we met. Cautious but wild! Thoughtful but without a care in the world. I felt your warmth on that trip. I remember spending New Year’s Eve with you at a bar in Florham Park and asking about the first footers (As we don’t have that tradition here, but I liked it!) We took a few drinks together that evening in Florham Park. Since then I remember keeping you up to date on the things that were happening in my life. I fell pregnant and married and went on to have two beautiful children Laila-May and Farris with my husband Tony. There was never any judgement, only wise words.
The last time we spoke I was on my way back from a family trip to Stonehenge. It was the winter solstice, so I sent you a photo of where we were. I knew you would have loved it. You rang me on the way home whilst I was on the train. You told me about a similar place in Ireland. Good times! I always liked you and felt kindred towards you. You looked like my family… You looked like you fitted in! I’m so sorry that we didn’t spend more time together, but age and distance can keep people apart physically, but I do believe that your spirit and your words will be in there in abundance to keep you close and remind me of you over the years to come.
Although you were a man of few words, those that were spoken to me were wise and acknowledged me for who I am and where I was in life. I will always love you for that. God bless Uncle John, though our time spent together was short, it meant so very much x
Big love Rach x
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Sarah Jane McCaw posted a condolence
Sunday, September 27, 2020
Sending thoughts of sympathy and love to the family & friends of Johnny. He will be greatly missed!
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Shana lit a candle
Sunday, September 27, 2020
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We will miss you “uncle Johnny”, love Kailey & Emma
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Sonia lit a candle
Sunday, September 27, 2020
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Rest in Peace, Johnny ,condolences to the Clarke and Daveridge families , from Sonia & Enda McMahon ☘️☘️
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Tracy lit a candle
Sunday, September 27, 2020
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Sending our thoughts and well wishes from across the pond. Rest in peace Johnny we will miss ya. Tracy & John.