Tributes pour in for Laois man as funeral details confirmed

A huge number of tributes have been paid to the popular young Laois man who died in recent days while out jogging and will be laid to rest this weekend.

John (Jack) Delaney, 28,  was out running near his home in Ballacolla on Tuesday afternoon December 5 when he collapsed. Resuscitation proved unsuccessful and he was confirmed dead a short time afterward.  

The deceased was a member of the well-known Delaney family who are known throughout the country in the furniture business and are proprietors of Design Options in Portlaoise.

He worked in Design Options alongside his father Tim and brother Tom, who runs the adjacent coffee shop, Brew. Locals said John "was very popular in the furniture shop and could not do enough to help customers."

He was past pupil of Cistercian College Roscrea where he completed his Leaving Cert in 2014 and later Dublin Institute of Technology John was also a talented hurler with his local Club Clough/Ballacolla in Laois particularly at underage level.  

John is survived by his father Tim, mother Eileen, brothers Tim and Tom and sister Sarah.  

Jack will repose in his home (R32 K5D0) on Thursday, December 7 and Friday, December 8 from 4pm with rosary at 8pm, both evenings. Removal Saturday morning, December 9 from his residence to arrive at St Canice's Church, Clough (R32 K003) for Requiem Mass at 12 noon with interment immediately afterwards in Knockaroo Cemetery (R32 F886).

House private on Saturday morning, please.

Jack's funeral Mass can be viewed using the link below: https://m.facebook.com/Borrisinossorypastoralonline

Many condolences have been extended to the family on ww.Rip.ie

"Deepest deepest sympathy to you all on the sudden passing of your wonderful son and brother. May the Lord give you all strength and courage as you continue life's journey remembering John with the beautiful memories he has given you all in a very short space of time," Brian and Heather Murphy.

"Tim, Eileen & family please accept my sincere sympathies and deepest condolences at this very sad and difficult time. I was so sorry to hear of John's sudden passing. John was a lovely young man and extremely pleasant to do business with at all times. He always greeted you with a warm and happy smile and always offered you a coffee. We will all miss him dearly. May John rest in peace," said John Murphy.

"Tim, Eileen, Tim, Tom, Sarah, Kate, Sara & friends of John, we are sending you all our strength on John's devastating passing. It is incomprehensible. May our blessed Mother Mary give you comfort in your grief and may the memories of John shine bright in your hearts until you are all reunited in the arms of God. RIP.," said Claire Maher and Neil Foyle.

"Our sincere sympathy to Timmy, Eileen and family on the sad and untimely loss of John. We recently had the pleasure of meeting John in Design Options, with his genuine, friendly and most helpful personality shining through. May he rest in eternal peace," said Michael, Moira Kelly fand family, Castletown.

"I was deeply saddened to hear of John's passing. He was such a fine and gentle young man and a pleasure to deal with in the shop. I will think of him everytime I look at my last purchase he helped me with - an open window looking out at the sea. My heart breaks for you all at this very sad time," said Mary & James Gleeson Camross.

"On behalf of the Cistercian College community, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Tim & Eileen, Tim, Tom and Sarah and extended family on the sudden passing of John. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. We have lovely memories of John at Cistercian College, he was always a true gentleman. May his gentle soul rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus," said Catherine Smyth Cistercian College Roscrea.

"Heartfelt sympathy to Tim, Eileen and the family; we are deeply shocked and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Such a lovely gentleman! May John R.I.P," said David & Phyllis Clegg, Portlaoise.

These are just a flavour of the huge number of tributes paid.