Great sadness at news of passing of South Offaly Special Olympics Club founding member

THIS YEAR South Offaly Special Olympics Club were saddened to hear of the passing of our founding club member John Dunican after an illness bravely born.
John passed away peacefully in the Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore on the 20th of May 2025.
John helped set up the club in 2005 and carried out his responsibilities in the volunteer role with the utmost respect towards athletes and with fellow volunteers.
John served as Chairman for four years but even afterwards he helped progress the club by training to become a bowling coach. John really enjoyed this role and rarely missed a night over the last few years even though his treatment was on the same day in Dublin.
John volunteered on more than two occasions to give support at the Special Olympics All Ireland games. The athletes that had been selected would not be anxious being away from their families overnight for the three day event while a familiar face such as John's was there.
John's ambition in recent years was to do the same thing as the World Special Olympic games in Germany in June 2022 after raising his sponsorship through different events. John's dream finally came true and he really enjoyed his time and would recall the experience with such a positive attitude.
John often said, “We don't realise the organisation that goes on behind the scenes for such an event” both in Ireland and abroad.
In recent years the small club has struggled to keep going with the few volunteers they had and almost closed on a few occasions. John was the one who encouraged the club members to keep going, even if the club didn't progress in competitions. He always said it was good for the social outlet for the children when they attend swimming and bowling weekly and regular Halloween and Christmas discos.
He was at a bowling competition with the club in April in Naas and last attended the club three weeks before he passed. He spoke of the 20th year celebration that we had planned for June. This involved bowling in Dublin Aasla Centre and dinner afterwards in Tougher's Naas. John also spoke about our upcoming ball planned for Christmas in Dooly's Hotel in Birr. For this reason, it became a huge shock to hear of John's passing only a short time later.
The club extends its deepest sympathy to his wife Marian, sons and daughters and extended family members.
There is a motto that is read out by an athlete before each competition, which reads: “Let me win. If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
The Club believes this motto is synonymous with John as he kept positive throughout his illness. He tried to not let it hold him back from what he wanted to achieve over the last few years and he was brave on his journey.
Rest in peace.

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