POWER, John

POWER - John (Mary Gerard) (October 18, 1933, William Street, Limerick - July, 23 2021, University Hospital Limerick). (Late of Árd Mhuire, Boreen an Tobair, South Circular Road, Limerick) - As we happily remember Dad (J.P.) on his first anniversary, Pat, Ailís, Anne, Moya and Eoghan wish to thank all those who sympathised with us on Dad's peaceful passing. John was blessed with a long and bountiful life. We were all blessed by our parents loving and fruitful marriage.

Our special personal thanks go to his and our friends and family who supported and advised each of us as we helped our beloved father through his very testing last two years. Most of all we give thanks for the amazing grace and faith which carried John so placidly through these many unforeseeable and extraordinary trials. Thank you for all your prayers, condolence cards, letters, phone calls, emails and many kind acts and R.I.P (on-line) condolenses.

Thanks are due to many in the Oncology Clinic and High Dependency Unit at University Hospital Limerick. Again, we thank the countless, nameless Blood Donors, who so generously give of their blood to sustain the lives of others.

We particularly wish to thank all those neighbours and friends who paid tribute outside Árd Mhuire and who joined the cortege on a final walk down the South Circular Road, past John's childhood home (Corona House) before arriving at St Joseph's for Dad's funeral Mass on July 27th last. We also thank the great many (former) Air Traffic Control colleagues (Shannon) who provided such a dignified Guard of Honour and salute as John's remains were received at the Church. Simarily, we thank his many Probus friends who paid tribute with another Guard of Honour as John's remains were carried from the Church. The friendship and comradeship you displayed is a testimony to your fidelity and regard for your colleague and friend. Our sincere gratitude goes to the many who helped make Dad's funeral such a happy and holy celebration of his life. At the heart of John's life and funeral were faith, hope, charity and the Sacraments. We were honoured that Dad's Requiem Mass was celebrated by two long serving and holy Parish Priests, Fr Plunkett and Canon O'Malley. John's Redemptorist upbringing and formation remained with him to the end. Through his prolonged, final confinement at home, our Lord was made manifest by the ministry of the loyal Fr John Goode (Mt St Alaphonsus, Redemptorist Church, Limerick). John Power remained a faithful friend and follower of Jesus, to the end. Through life's trials he often said: 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Philippians 4:13). John and Clement Thompson and all the staff at Thompson's Funeral Undertakers were outstanding. Your untiring practical help, kindness and wise counsel provided immense support to us. Heartfelt thanks to all of you who, in your various ways, have given support to us in the difficult year since Dad's death. Our words are not sufficient to adequately acknowledge the goodness and prayers offered by so many. Please accept this extended acknowledgement as a token of our thanks and as an expression of our parent's gratitude to you. The celebration of the Holy Mass will be offered for your intentions at St Joseph's and The Redemptorist Church, Limerick and Glenstal Abbey, Co Limerick. Dad was sustained and renewed by faith and prayer, in frequent counsel with his guardian angel (Gabriel). At other times he borrowed from Shakespeare, or sometimes gave a certain quizzical look. In times of strife he often advised: 'A kind word easeth wrath'. John lived this advice with a smile and often remarked - 'a smile costs nothing and may make someones day'! John Power, was a member of the Oblate Community at Glenstal Abbey, a place so dear to him. His first anniversary will be marked on Saturday August 27, 2022 by the celebration of the Mass at 12.10pm, in Glenstal Abbey, Murroe, Co Limerick and that evening, at 7.15pm Mass in The Redemptorist Church, Limerick City.

Pax Tatum