John Fahy Obituary

My poem for John Joe is published in today's Galway Advertiser which can be read online here http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=eF14K08j5Cr0&PBID=a2fc81f2-0ccf-4dbf-aca1-00bedf4bde35&skip=

It's on page 44

I was so sorry to hear the news.

I've written a poem dedicated to John Joe, with a bit of editorial help from my wife Susan. It takes a bit of poetic licence here and there. But here it is.

Skyscrapers
For John Joe Fahy

Born when the world was busy with other things
and the fields full of cattle
that couldn’t be sold. You went away
to build skyscrapers; watched
their steel skeletons go up
on days of infinite, white sunshine;
poured however many thousand
tons of concrete. Each morning
was its own symphony
of machinery and shouting,
written by you.

For two years you shouted
at the tumour fattening
itself on your lung, until
one afternoon it declared
the conversation over; the cough
that never went away became
the bed you never got out of.

The Wednesday before you left us:
seventy six candles and a white
Calvin Klein shirt,
which someone else will wear,
for the man who built
skyscrapers.

KEVIN HIGGINS

Dear Mary Ellen

I was very sorry to hear about John, I wish I could have made it to Chicago while he was still well and am sorry I couldn't make it for the funeral. I have many happy memories of the summer of 2003 and indeed of John winding me up about feminist type issues over the years! Lots of love, Helen, London

Dear Mary Ellen and family,

I am saddened by John's passing and very sorry for your loss. I take comfort in relishing happy, vital memories, especially of what a great dancer John was - in our days together back in Clare. He must be cutting up the dance floor above!

With love,
Laura

John:

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please accept our deepest condolences.

Mark and Melody Davoust

Mary Ellen and family, We are so sorry to hear about John. He will be missed by all who knew him and was a good friend. You are in our thoughts and prayers and have our deepest sympathy.

Mary Ellen and all,
I was sad to hear the news of John's passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I hope the picture brings a smile to you.
Anne

Mary Ellen and family, we send our deepest sympathy. We always think of John when we play bean bags (he made our game). You are all in our prayers.
Love,
John & Angela McMahon

Tom and I express our deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband and father. We will keep him in our prayers. Mary and Tom McNamara

John, our deepest sympathies go out to you and the entire Fahy family. Bill and Gabriela Wyatt.
'When you waken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of gentle birds in circling flight...
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry—
I am not there... I did not die...'

Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss.