Friday March 5th 2010

WEXFORDMAN John Beary is taking life easy after retiring from the Franciscan friary where he worked for 21 years.The former frontman of the friary who was involved in its transition from a 'brown' to a 'grey' community over two years ago, has stopped watching the clock and listening out for the phone.'I'm contented and happy. I'm not rushing into anything. I'm taking my time. Every day I'm doing the things I want to do myself,' he said.The Friary won't be losing contact with the Beary family, however, because John's position has been taken over by his son Patrick, who was an altar boy in the historic church for nine years.

At a recent retirement function, the Friary Guardian, Fr. Aidan Walsh OFMConv, paid tribute to John on his long service and credited him with assisting the change-over from 'brownfriars' to 'greyfriars' in 2007.He presented him with a clock on behalf of the Franciscan community.As the Friary receptionist, John became wellknown to visitors from all over Ireland. 'Even when I was up the country, I'd meet people who'd say "you're the little man who works in the Friary in Wexford!"' he said.Despite receiving a beautiful clock as a retirement present, he doesn't plan on watching it very much: 'I'm leaving all that behind me!'

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