Appreciation

John Cusack

It was with deep regret that we learnt of the recent death of Shannon Scheme veteran John Cusack (or Johnny as he was affectionately known). John started work on the Scheme as a young boy and when the power station was completed and commissioned in 1929, he joined the staff at Ardnacrusha and remained there until his retirement.

At the time of ESB's 75th Anniversary in 2002, John was in his 90th year and he featured extensively in the celebrations in the station. He featured on the cover of EM for the special 75th Christmas edition. It was through Pat Aherne at Ardnacrusha and EM that John was linked up by video to send and receive a birthday message from his old schoolmate and friend whom he hadn't seen for years, James Dundon, who was also a Shannon Scheme veteran. With their help, James (who sadly later passed away also) was discovered to be in Blanchardstown Hospital and too ill to travel, but he sent a message to John by video.

The message was played to John at a party held in Ardnacrusha to celebrate his birthday. A special presentation was made to John by Pat Naughton, on behalf of ESB, on the day. John had previously sent a video message to his old friend James, which was played to him at the hospital.

John had been Ardnacrusha's oldest pensioner and the sharing of the reunion in such a touching way proved very moving for the many retired and current staff who attended the celebration.

John had witnessed the first sod being dug for the Shannon scheme also. In later years, prior to his retirement, John had been Porter/Security at the station and had met and welcomed the many visitors, many of them Shannon Scheme veterans from both Germany and Ireland, to Ardnacrusha.

He was meticulous in his duties and many would have fallen foul of his sharp tongue if a piece of litter found its way on to the polished flooring or the grounds.

John enjoyed great health up to very recently and loved to meet up with old colleagues and trace those days. To John's sons Noel, Terry (both ESB staff ) and Sean, his extended family and friends, our deepest sympathy.

May he rest in peace.