17 Comments

A wise man Jack was, sometimes things in life make no sense but handing it over to God, forgiving and trusting it will all work out brings true peace RIP

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Beautifully written Gerry.A lovely tribute to a man that was,it seems,a Legend.

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I once met someone like that in Alaska, just for a few hours. He was a man with a similar story, and it was humbling and profound to meet someone who could embody the ultimate forgiveness. Thank you for this article.

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Beautiful tribute to clearly a great man.

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Aw Gerry, that’s so lovely 💕

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Beautiful tribute, wish I knew such a man.

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May 7Liked by The West's Awake

Gerry, all I can say is thank you . You've swept a whole bunch of crap out of my mind and let me see some important stuff I'd forgotten. The genuine, the kind, the rocks in the stream, an honour to cross paths with them. You're a wise man to see the value in the easily dismissed. Thank you for highlighting it to us.

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A beautiful tribute.

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May 7Liked by The West's Awake

Thanks Gerry, this is the real stuff of life.

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May 7Liked by The West's Awake

A Man to aspire to be, thank's for the story Gerry , may he rest in peace.

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May 7Liked by The West's Awake

What a lovely warm and emotional tribute to an exceptional man Gerry.

Your schoolyard games resonate with me , though mine were 20 years before. Our new primary school opened in 1963 complete with parquet floored classrooms and beech floored assembly hall (quality don`t ya know) but best facility was a large yard of concrete panels. You could be Peter Bonetti, keeping goal against Nobby Stiles, Denis Law or Noel Cantwell for a whole lunch hour.

However I`m still hoping Mayo will win an all Ireland in my lifetime!

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May 7Liked by The West's Awake

Super piece

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May 7Liked by The West's Awake

Sounds like a great man.

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May 7Liked by The West's Awake

Sounds like a lovely man may he rest in peace. We need more role models like him around.

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May 7Liked by The West's Awake

Beautiful tribute Gerry, he had the essence of what we all need to be more of, rest in peace Jack bless your soul.

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May 7Liked by The West's Awake

Beautiful. I’m struck by the courage it took the man who killed his son to approach him. Was it so very different a world back then that men were motivated outside of politics to seek one another and attempt something so much bigger than them? True forgiveness can only come this way. We all make the best of loss and pain and soldier on but it makes it partially easier to know you were respected enough to find that between you. Because to carry loss and anger together is soul destroying. Anyway a wonderful tribute to a man who seemed salt of the earth.

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