A POPULAR Irish businessman was given the ultimate send-off in Bristol when friends and family took part in a special tribute truck convoy.
John Kelly passed away last month aged 76, having spent many decades working in the highway maintenance industry in Britain.
Hundreds turned out to say their goodbyes, with colleagues from Kelly Brothers Building Contractors turning up in trucks adorned with tribute messages on the screens.
A native of Tydavnet, Co. Monaghan, John Kelly had been in Britain since the 1950s.
Along with his brothers, Brendan and Michael, he set up Kelly Brothers Road Markings in 1967 and worked relentlessly to build up a thriving business.
The business continued to grow over the years but John was first and foremost a family man.
In 1969, he met his beloved wife Margaret and within six months they walked down the aisle as husband and wife.
The devoted couple went on to have three children and five grandchildren.
John Kelly passed away in JanuaryJohn sadly suffered a stroke in 2007 while driving on the M5 with his wife and young grandson in the car. At the time he had been looking forward to retiring.
“He was always very protective and put family first,” said his daughter Gemma recalling the incident. “His priority was them so he focused all his energy to pull over to the hard shoulder so they were safe.”
As a result of the stroke John was left paralysed down his right side and he lost the ability to speak. But ever the optimist, he never lost his wit and charm and developed ways to communicate without his speech.
Though the stroke was a setback, the biggest hurdle John had to overcome was the loss of his treasured wife. Margaret passed away in 2012, after 42 years together.
Aside from his adoring family, John was also a community man and was heavily involved with the Bristol Irish Society.
“He would go to meet members of the society in the pub and was always making donations,” Gemma said. “He was friends with them about 25 years and had always been donating to them over the years.”
John will be sorely missed by his son Brendan, daughters Sinéad and Gemma and grandchildren Cameron, Meryn, Euan, Oran and Liam.
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