Facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, Dublin man John Steele confided in his cousin Elizabeth that he feared nobody would remember him after he was gone. But Elizabeth was determined that would not happen. She shared John’s story with Christian Aid Ireland Communications Officer, Lisa Fagan.
Born in 1943, the elder of two boys, John Steele lived his whole life in the same house in the Dublin suburb of Terenure. His parents Hugh and Gertrude named him after his grandfather, Lt Col John Steele OBE, a distinguished veteran of the Boer and First World Wars who was later appointed to oversee the construction of Dublin’s Islandbridge Memorial Garden.
According to his cousin Elizabeth Coote, his childhood was happy until, aged just eight, his father died suddenly, leaving John as the ‘man of the family’. It was a heavy burden for young shoulders and Elizabeth speculates that it may have been the reason why John never married, instead living at home with his mother and caring for her until her death.
Reflecting his love of books, John began his career in the publishing industry, later becoming Head Librarian at University College Dublin’s Smurfit Business School. Colleagues there remember a scholarly man who studied part-time alongside his full-time job, graduating in law and accountancy. One said: ‘He was an absolute gentleman, incredibly clever and well-read. He was very generous with his time, helping countless students with their essays, presentations and assignments.’
John attended Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin. The Dean, The Very Rev Dermot Dunne recalled a quiet man. ‘He was a gentle and faithful person, not interested in material possessions. There was an innocence about him. He was one of life’s saints.’
John died in September 2022 following a late-stage cancer diagnosis and it was at Christchurch Cathedral that his funeral service was held. His cousin Elizabeth gave the eulogy.
John left a €61,500 (£53,000) gift in his Will to Christian Aid. Elizabeth explains what motivated John to leave such a generous donation: ‘After the death of his father, John’s mother relied on the support of the extended family to bring up her two boys and he never forgot that. I think he wanted to repay the kindness he had received. If he heard of anyone who was sick or had money worries, he would send them a cheque. John believed that you should help people in need and that, in giving, you get great joy. He believed that you should give without seeking anything in return.’
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As John approached the end of his life, he told Elizabeth that he feared he would be forgotten. She said: ‘He told me that nobody would remember him. But I promised him that my family and I would remember him. That’s why I’m sharing his story, because I want John to be remembered for the beautiful soul that he was.’
