Funeral arrangements revealed for RTE star John Dooley after sudden death

THE funeral arrangements for RTE Super Garden star John Dooley have been released.

The Kildare native passed away suddenly early on Wednesday just days after he scooped the top prize on the hit RTE show.

His heartbroken family announced his death, saying beloved John was “deeply regretted by his loving wife Liz, brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends”.

The funeral details were made available on RIP.ie today.

John’s body will repose at Dunne’s Funeral Home in Mill Road, Castledermot, Co Kildare on Friday, June 7, from 12pm and will conclude with Rosary at 8pm.

The Requiem mass will take place a day later at 12pm at The Church of The Assumption, Castledermot, which will be followed by a burial in Coltstown Cemetery.

Saturday’s service will also be available to be viewed online on Church Services TV.

John’s grieving family have requested for family flowers only in the notice and have asked for any donations to be sent to The Irish Heart Foundation.

John worked as a farm manager until his retirement, and he was also the Sacristan in The Church of the Assumption in Castledermot, where he took the time to arrange flowers in the church.

But it was his lifelong wish to exhibit his own at Bloom.

Speaking last week after winning the RTE show, John said he remembered walking out of Bord Bia Bloom two years ago thinking: “I’d love to be here”.

John won the gardening show by creating a garden named Back to the Future, a low-maintenance, sustainable, and bio diverse garden for Daija and her two daughters Amanda and Amelia.

John’s design accommodated Daija’s scoliosis and offered an easy-to-care-for space for the family to enjoy.

Tributes have poured in on RIP.ie for the inspiring garden designer who was described as a “true gentleman”.

‘SADLY MISSED’

One mourner wrote: “We met you both at Bloom after John so very kindly gave my parents and I a tour of his beautiful garden.

“The time he spent talking about his ‘back to the future’ message and sharing his love for gardening with us will never be forgotten and will forever be cherished.

“He has sparked in us an urge to take greater care of our own garden, as I am sure he did to so many over that weekend. What a legacy he has left.”

Another mourner said: “He only just achieved his life long dream to design a garden and he did it with such passion with Liz at his side all the way. A true gentleman he will be sadly missed.”

A third added: “Dear Liz, deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved husband. I think everyone who watched the Bloom gardening programme, totally fell in love with John and yourself.

“He came across as such a beautiful person and the love between you was a thing of beauty. I know his loss must be so difficult for you now but hope your happy memories of a wonderful relationship comforts you too.”