The sad passing has taken place of John Christopher Moss, formerly of Drimark in Donegal Town and Birchwood Heights, Swanley, London, England.
It is with great sadness that his family has announced his death.
John passed away peacefully after a short illness at Darent Valley Hospital, Kent, England, on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, aged 91 years.
John was born in Ireland in 1932. To seek his fortune as a young man, he left his motherland for England.
However, John always yearned for Ireland, and his dream of returning was finally realised when, in retirement, he set up home in Donegal with his soulmate Sadie.
John had met Sadie in 1984, and they did everything together. The couple married in Bellingham, Catford, London in 1994, and not long after this event, they decided that they would move to Ireland.
So, with the purchase of an RV, they went in search of the perfect place to move to. After 10 months of travelling around Ireland, they finally chose Donegal.
They then spent the next twenty something years enjoying their time together in Drimark and all the surrounding areas.
They led a relaxed retirement life, gently growing old. They would visit friends and neighbours, and in return, their home was often buzzing with those who came to visit them; including their children and grandchildren. Sadie’s daughter Angela would often visit with her children, as would John’s children Ruth, Christopher, and Helen with their families.
They were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Gortlosky and enjoyed all aspects of church life.
The Donegal Waterbus was a great favourite of theirs, and lunch at Dom’s was always part of their week. Shopping was between Super Valu and Aldi, and always McGettigans for their prize sausages! John and Sadie often took their guests to The Harbour Restaurant for a treat, and a visit to Glencolmcille and Harvey’s Point was always on the menu.
Donegal was always a favourite of John’s since his long-time friend Charlie Gillespie had owned The Talk of the Town on Main Street many, many years ago.
John loved music, especially Luke Kelly and the Dubliners, and would often serenade his wife Sadie with his own rendition of “The Black Velvet Band”. Dancing was John’s other great passion, and on Saturday nights you would always find John and Sadie dancing the night away at The Abbey Hotel in the Donegal Diamond or on the dancefloors of Laughy.
John was always the life and soul of the party and spoke to everyone. He was proud of being Irish and of the Irish accent that he never lost.
Many times, John would be in the middle of a rant, and the recipient would not have a clue as to what he was saying, for John’s accent was like a fine Irish whiskey, made strictly for the connoisseur.
Both John and Sadie loved living in Ireland. However, as their health failed and with sadness in their hearts, they returned to England for the comfort and support of their children in old age.
John was predeceased by his parents, James Moss of Tullycar and Agnes McCrory of Meenagrogan, and his brother, Patrick Moss. John was also predeceased by his beloved son Christopher and his beloved wife Sadie.
John is survived by two children, Ruth, and Helen, and three stepchildren, Angela, Stan, and Tracey; and nine grandchildren, Sophie, Sarah, Dannielle, Lee, Nicola, Joseph, Connor, Zaria, Jerri, Aaron, Ryan and Xanthe; and fifteen great grandchildren. John was a one-of-a-kind character, the complete Irish gentleman who was loved by all. John will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Funeral arrangements for John are as follows: Eltham Crematorium, North Chapel, London, England. Wednesday 15 March 2023, at 2 p.m.
