RIP: ‘A Louth and proud man’ who left an enduring legacy in Longford: Owen Johnston lived his life very simply and honestly

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The parish of Killashee was deeply saddened last Friday, January 9 by the passing of Owen Johnston, Honorary Chairperson of St Brigid's Killashee GAA Club, in the loving care of the nurses and staff at Roscommon Hospice, following a short illness bravely borne with great courage and determination. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Caption: Owen Johnston pictured with his wife Rosemary and special guest Marty Morrissey holding the Gerry Hennessy Cup at the St Brigid's Killashee celebrations following their Intermediate Championship success in 2016

Owen (or OJ as he was affectionately known) was a proud Gael and a highly respected figure within the GAA community. 

However, OJ’s devotion to his parish manifested itself on many levels throughout his life. One of his favourite sayings was ‘That’s it, just go and do it’ and his positive get up and go approach made the parish a better place to live, in so many ways, and the parish was a better place because he lived there. 

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He served as Chairperson and secretary of the local branch of the IFA as well as serving as Secretary of Longford County Executive IFA. 

OJ was also instrumental in the setting up of Community Alert in the parish and he served on the board of management of the National School for a number of years as well as serving on the Parish Pastoral Council.  

Owen didn't suffer fools gladly; he didn't mince his words and said it as he saw it. He was well known for his sharp wit, his innate business sense, his one liners, perhaps at times some of them unrepeatable. He was very single minded, lived his life very simply and honestly. He was a highly principled man, a man of great faith and conviction, immensely hard-working, full of love, kindness and goodness, a man of great personal integrity.

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‘A Co Louth and proud man’, Owen served his apprenticeship and trained as a butcher when he finished school. He has worked with ABP for more than 40 years, at various locations around the country, finishing up in Clones, Co Monaghan. 

He had a tremendous work-ethic and this was recognised by his colleagues when they referred to him in his workplace as an example of a machine and not a man. He lived his working life with the mantra of an honest day's work for an honest day’s pay. He had a great love of his workplace and his ABP family. 

Owen overcame many obstacles in his life including the loss of the sight of his left eye in an accident in 2001. He had major surgery in 2023 but there was a bigger challenge waiting ahead for him when on June 30, 2025 he was diagnosed with pancreatic biliary cancer. 

The diagnosis was tough and the prognosis very poor, he was given at that time a timeline of 6 to 12 months but he took on the fight. Owen always worked to a plan. He set many milestones for himself throughout his illness to celebrate his 60th birthday which was on December 12,  2025, to get to Christmas, to make it to the New Year.  He achieved all those goals, but sadly, this time the obstacle became too great, the hurdle too hard to overcome and he passed away peacefully on January 9.

Owen had a great love of family and on June 10, 2000, he married Rosemary (née Killian). He embraced life in Longford and Killashee. He loved the community, rural life, farming and the purchase of Clonbrock in 2003 cemented the deal for him. He loved the people, too, and the community and he embraced all aspects of community life. 

His lifelong dedication and passion for St Brigid’s were unparalleled. He served as Club Chairperson for an exceptional fourteen years, making him one of the club’s longest-serving Chairpersons. 

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During this time, the club enjoyed some of its most significant achievements, both on and off the field. 

On the playing front, St Brigid’s won four out of six Intermediate titles under Owen's tenure, with two of those titles captured in the same year due to the COVID-affected season - an extraordinary achievement in the club’s history.

Owen also oversaw two memorable Leinster campaigns, with the club reaching a Leinster Junior Football Final (2015) and semi-final (2025), both representing new heights that St Brigid’s had never previously experienced. 

A man of vision and determination, Owen played a pivotal role in the redevelopment of the club grounds. He led a major fundraising campaign that transformed the facilities to a modern standard, ensuring they will serve players, future teams, and the wider parish community for generations to come. 

His tireless efforts and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on the club, and his legacy will endure for many years to come.

OJ reposed at Glennon’s Funeral Home, Ballinalee Road, Longford on Sunday, January 11 with Mass of the Resurrection celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Killashee where Owen, for so many years, was a trusty basket distributor and collector, on Monday, January 12 followed by interment afterwards in Ballinakill cemetery. The huge guard of honour formed by local GAA, National School children and IFA members as OJ made his journey to his resting place reflected the massive esteem in which he was held. Ironically, the day of OJ’s Funeral Mass also marked the 45th anniversary of his father's death. 

Born in 1965 and the second youngest of a family of seven, the late Owen Johnston, Tarmonbarry, Co Roscommon and Clonbrock, Killashee, Co Longford and formerly of Proleek, Ravensdale, Dundalk, Co Louth was predeceased by his parents Mary and Owen, brother-in-law Ian and by his father-in-law P.J.

Deepest sympathy is extended to his beloved wife Rosemary (née Killian), sisters Barbara and Colette, brothers Pat, David, Maurice and Mark, mother-in-law Rita, sisters-in-law Jane, Anne, Eileen, Elaine, Gráinne, Carol and Clodagh, brothers-in-law Phil, Thomas, Michael, Joe and Michael, nieces, nephews, relatives, many good friends, neighbours and work colleagues at ABP Clones.

Owen’s contribution to St Brigid’s Killashee GAA Club and the wider community of Killashee will never be forgotten.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.