John Grogan was born in Altavra on 3rd April 1923.
He was the youngest of the four children of John and Mary Grogan.
After he left Lisacoghill national school he went to work on the family farm.
He spent most of his life working that farm, keeping the sheep and a few cattle,
making the bit of hay and cutting the turf.
He was one of the first farmers to purchase a tractor, a Ferguson T20.

In 1963 John married Mary Gallagher and he moved from Altavra to Creevelea House.
Mary ran a little country shop and John continued to work on the farm
until they retired in 1998 and moved into Drumkeeran town.

Whilst John’s main occupation was as a farmer, he was in fact quite a gifted man
who could turn his hands to anything.
He loved the challenge of working with anything technical or mechanical.

All the great loves of his life were related to the countryside.
He loved training dogs for the sheep-trials
and he enjoyed both fishing and shooting.

But the greatest love of his life was Mary and the family.
He was a devoted husband to Mary and a dedicated and loving father.
 
John also enjoyed dressing up and going out to meet people,
whether it be in the local dance hall or in the local pub,
whether it be at the sheep trials or at the LDF exercises in Finner Camp.
And, because of his quick wit and his sense of humour, people enjoyed meeting him.

Throughout his life John was a deeply religious man,
a man for whom prayer and Mass were very important.

In recent months his health declined
and he had to go into Our Lady’s Hospital, Manorhamilton.
Within the last week or two he was transferred to Aras Bhreifne.
He died there on Friday, 1st June.