Tributes paid to one of Westport's finest

The late John Mayock from Gortaroe, Westport, was remembered as a wonderful storyteller and masterful historian at last week’s meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Peter Flynn described Mr Mayock as “a pillar of society” who had a remarkable wealth of knowledge.

“If there was a thing such as Google on two feet then John was it. He had an amazing insight into historical matters and played a key role in the Croagh Patrick Co-op and was very involved in the local historical society.

"He also played a huge part in the Harbour Board, making some really important decisions. I would say we wouldn’t have the harbour we have today without John. 

"He was also of the Fine Gael persuasion, occupying the role of chair, treasurer and Director of Elections in the local electoral area. He wasn’t afraid to nail his colours to the mast and was there at the coalface, and we need people like that to support politicians with their endeavours. 

"Our sympathies to Barbara and the extended family and we note and thank John for his contribution to Westport in so many different ways.” 

Cllr John O’Malley said the late John Mayock was “surely a true blue” and recalled a conversation with him one night where John said he was born in America and Cllr O’Malley’s late wife Karen, who was also American, told him he therefore qualified as an American citizen. 

“He never knew that but he followed it up and even travelled to America where he found the grave of his aunt, buried in New York.” 

Cllr O'Malley described the late historian as a true gentleman and a “great man for the farmers who took such good care of them and never put any financial pressure on them and treated everybody with respect". 

"We will miss John and I will miss the times he would ring me up and just want to create a bit of devilment."

Cllr Brendan Mulroy said John was a very wise man and someone who always had good stories to tell, while Cllr Chris Maxwell said John was very well thought of and spoken about by all the farming community in Louisburgh who had many dealings with him as Croagh Patrick Co-op was the only one of its kind in operation back in the day.