RIP: Mayo town native remembered fondly upon passing

JOHN Forde, formerly of Bohaunes, Knock, Mayo, and late of Dublin and Manchester, died recently in Castlebar Hospital.

He had been in declining health for some time and spent the last six years of his life in the kind care of the staff at Ballinamore Nursing Home.

John was born in 1952 and his parents were Nora (nee Sloyan) and Matt Forde. His mother, known almost to everyone as ‘Nurse Forde’, was a legendary lady in the region in former times.

Nora served as midwife over a vast area in the days when almost all children were born at home.

She was also deeply involved with Knock Shrine where she assisted so many people on a voluntary basis down through the years.

His secondary school days saw John attended St Jarlath’s College in Tuam and, along with many other lads from Mayo, featured prominently with the college teams in those times.

John was also a fine athlete and excelled at the high jump during his college years. He also lined out with Kiltimagh, a club that was close to the hearts of the Forde family.

John, like other members of the family, crossed the Irish Sea and made their homes in Manchester.

His brother Michael has been to the fore in Irish community circle not only in Manchester but in England over many years while another, Pius, has been a legend among the Irish in Manchester and operated a popular shop at the Irish Centre for many years bringing a touch and taste of Ireland to so many of the Irish exiles in that region.

During his time in Manchester, John specialised in the area of suspended ceilings. He later moved back to Ireland and settled in Dublin where he spent more than 20 years, mainly in matters relating to the construction business.

John was a gifted tradesman who was imbued with a strong work ethic down through the years.

Reposing was at the Marian Funeral Home, Knock, with removal to the Basilica of Our Lady. Following the funeral Mass the next morning, interment took place in Kilkinure cemetery, Kiltimagh.

John, who was predeceased by his parents Matt and Nora, and his brothers Mattie and Peter, will be sadly missed by his son Sean, daughters Colette and Sharon, his sisters Mary (Tralee), Eithne (Drogheda), Bernadette (Dublin) and Áine (Westport), his brothers Michael (Manchester) and Pius (Knock-Kiltimagh), his nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.