PICTURES: Limerick firefighter goes on one last call-out before his final journey

SERVING and retired Limerick firefighters brought a late colleague on one last emotional call-out before his final journey.

John O’Shea, of St Anthony’s Villas, Castleview Gardens, Clancy Strand and formerly of Little Catherine Street passed away on Wednesday. 

A former colleague recalled: “John protected everyone and stood by them when it got tough”. 

Firefighters gave him a unique guard of honour on Saturday to show the respect he is held within Limerick Fire and Rescue Service.

They gathered, in full uniform, outside John’s home in Clancy Strand at 1pm. His coffin was gently shouldered onto the Bronto Skylift fire appliance and driven slowly to the Strand Hotel junction. 

The unique funeral cortege was flanked by firefighters and followed by family -  including beloved wife Jacinta, children Killian and Eoin “Rocky” O’Shea, well-known Limerick publican - friends and John’s dogs. The silence was only broken by a piper seated on the fire truck.

John’s coffin was then placed in the hearse and his final journey to Shannon Crematorium continued.

John worked as a firefighter with Limerick Fire Brigade from 1977 until his retirement in 2011 and was a popular and familiar face in the city. He used to roadie with a number of bands and performers including D’Unbelievables and deliver pianos for Kleiser Pianos on Thomas Street among a life well-lived .

A memory many will recall is of a smiling John and his massive Old English Sheepdog Gina hanging out the window of his big white van.

Many tributes have been paid. One former colleague said John protected everyone and stood by them when things got tough. This was true of John in and out of uniform.

“When I joined the watch we knew that John was the unofficial officer. He was the go to man when you needed direction both on the fire ground and in your own personal life. John was the father of our watch.”

 He said the word legend is brandished about a lot but if you looked up the word legend in a dictionary it would more than likely say John O’Shea. 

“John was a saviour to a lot of people and his name is held in very high regard within Limerick City Fire and Rescue Service,” he said.

Another colleague Pat Flood also described John as a legend.

“Legend he was, legend he is and will always be, and with sad hearts we will always remember him in happy and kind thoughts and know we will keep him in our hearts and the fire brigade family,” said Pat.

John was never rattled and always had a steady head when there was a requirement to either be brave at a situation, or think about another way of dealing with the situation to either save a life or protect it, he said.

“John had many strings to his bow – either kicking in a door to save a life or climb a ladder to save a cat, it didn't matter,” said Pat.

He recalled that when new firefighters joined, they knew to stick close to John.

"They would learn their trade and learn to stay safe. When John had a quiet word with you – you listened and adhered to what he said,” wrote Pat in a Facebook tribute.

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John is sadly missed by beloved wife Jacinta, loving sons Eoin “Rocky” and his partner Janet, Killian and his partner Millie and their mother Eileen, stepchildren Lindsay and Brian (Ahern) and their spouses Leo and Clodagh, adored grandson Lughan, goddaughter Rose Kiely, uncles Billy and Paddy, extended family and a close circle of friends, and his dogs Jesse and Buffet.  

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