Limerick says 'Bye for now' to a man who leaves a legacy in the city centre

A MAN who was known to many and whose legacy will continue to live on in Ormston House in Limerick City, was laid to rest today (Friday, October 24). 

John F. (Jack) Ormston, opened the very first supermarket in Limerick City - Ormston's Supermarket on Patrick Street in April 1961 - where Ormston House stands today. 

A father to nine children - two daughters and seven sons, Mr Ormston was known to many throughout the business community for his love of innovation, business ingenuity, his deep faith and devotion to his family. 

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Four of his sons spoke at his funeral Mass in a joint eulogy, which encapsulated many elements of their father’s life. 

They spoke about how his supermarket changed the way that people shopped in Limerick and of how many connections he forged. 

He always had a creative streak and when he wanted to expand, Mr Ormston opened a hair salon upstairs on Patrick Street. 

“His flair for marketing was legendary, when parking fines were introduced, he got his printers to print ads on similar paper,” and his son Frederick told mourners at the funeral that people would panic thinking they had gotten a parking ticket, only to read his ad saying: “Don’t worry, it’s not a parking fine, but 10% off at Ormston’s hair salon.”

Mr Ormston ran the store on Patrick Street for 20 years and was a good friend and mentor to many people over the years. 

The Ormston family were regular Mass goers and the family was so large that they practically occupied a whole pew. 

In the eulogy, his son Marcus said that their father was very proud that all seven of his sons had served at Mass and “on at least one occasion, all at the same time.” 

Marcus added that his father was a proud pioneer all his life and took his vow of abstinence very seriously. 

Despite this, he had an admirable collection of single-malt whiskeys and “never touched a drop.” 

The Ormston family connections in Limerick date back to the 1800s and after growing up in Belfield Park, Mr Ormston moved to London as a teenager and sent money home to his parents every week. 

“This laid the foundation for a life of giving and generosity,” his seventh son Jason told the congregation. 

He lived in Highbury House, Ballymorris, Cratloe with his family. 

He instilled a strong work ethic and the value of education in his children and taught them to pursue excellence, getting great joy when he would ask them what they were doing, only to be told they were “in pursuit of excellence.” 

Mr Ormston’s son Jason said that he was very proud of his big family and if he was in the city without all nine of them, he would say “this is just a sample of our children.” 

Mr and Mrs Ormston were married in 1966 and they barely spent a night apart and when he went to Corbally House Nursing Home six years ago, the family visited him daily, ensuring he always felt their love and remained at the centre of the family. 

Frederick urged those gathered at the Mass for their father to be aware of dementia and stressed that “it can be a lonely road and a cup of tea and a chat can go a long way.” 

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The Mass concluded with the sons saying farewell to their father on behalf of the family, in the way he always did to his children, he never said goodbye, but just “bye for now.”

John F. (Jack) Ormston passed away peacefully on October 20 and was buried in St Mary’s Cathedral today (Friday, October 24, 2025). 

He is survived by his wife Rosemary, daughters Rachel and Sarah, sons Frederick, Emmett, John, Marcus, Damien, Calvin and Jason, along with his 17 grandchildren and a wide circle of extended family, neighbours and friends. 

May he rest in peace.