LI-TMBN-0058

Headstone  with  railing.

James  English 1900-1968 , son  of  Thomas  M  English  & Catherine ( Kate )  Murphy. was born on the 4th May 1900 in Ballyneety South  Templebredon, Co. Limerick and died on the 9th Oct 1968 at Lodge, Hospital, Co. Limerick. See nearby memorial 0056.

He married  Bridget Catherine  Murnane 1910-1996, daughter of Patrick Murnane 1870-1942  &  Kate McGrath 1876-1956 of Knockderk, Templebredon on the 13th Feb 1934 in Templebredon RC.

NB. Patrick  Murnane 1870-1942 & his wife  Kate 1876-1956 were interred  at memorial LI-BLGH-080 in Ballinlough  cemetery, Kilteely, Co. Limerick.

Cornelius  Francis  English  1904-1980 who is recorded here was a brother of James 1900-1968. He was born in Ballyneety  South, Templebredon on the 25th Oct 1904.

Obituary  of Joseph James ( Joe ) English  1939-2021, son of  James  English 1900-1968  & Bridget Murnane 1910-1996 reads as follows :

Joseph James ( Joe ) English

May 6th, 1939 - April 7th, 2021

Joe English was born and raised on the family farm at Lodge, Hospital, Co. Limerick and attended the local Christian  Brothers School. He learned to drive at a very young age and it was this skill that brought him to the attention of the Gubbins family at nearby Kilfrush Stud as well as the Considine family at Derk House. After many years working on the large estates, Joe decided to emigrate to the USA.

 In 1963, Joe was hired as an Assistant Manager at the Conrad Hilton in Chicago on the recommendation of Mrs.Gubbins to Conrad Hilton. From there he moved on to the Drake Hotel and eventually to the Holiday Inn on Lake Shore Drive. In 1970 he moved to the Holiday Inn in Oak Lawn where he remained the general manager for more than 20 years and raised his family. Joe was awarded Top 10 hotels in the chain numerous times and was named Innkeeper of the Year in 1975. He was active in the hotel industry and served as a director and officer of the Illinois Hotel and Motel Association and also served on the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus. 

 Joe’s passion for excellence was widely recognized and his hotel provided a training ground for some of the leading Irish hoteliers. Joe was also an avid golfer and member of Ridge Country Club where he spent many summer afternoons with friends. He was also a long-time member of the Lay Council at Mount Carmel High School and was awarded Carmel Man of the Year in 1992 for his many efforts on behalf of his adopted school. Later in life, Joe owned and operated Cook County Vending along with his wife Berry.

 Ultimately Joe was a man of his roots and his strongest connections were to his family in Ireland and numerous friends in the Irish American community in Chicago. He was a visible leader in the Irish-American community and his hotel was a hub of activities and a regular meeting place for many. He was a member of the Chicago St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee; a director of Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago and founded the Chicago Limerickman’s Association in 1968.

 As active as he was in the states, Joe was a frequent visitor to his homeland. He championed many causes in Ireland including the restoration of Holy Cross Abbey and sponsoring the James English Cup for Coursing in honour of his father.

Joe is pre-deceased by his parents James and Bridget (Murnane) and his sister Tina Clifford.

 He is survived by his wife Brigid (Berry) English, nee Costello, his  children, Mary Brennan, Tina Gallagher  & Jim English, by sisters Vera Butler  & Maree Kelleher, his sons in law Conal Gallagher & Daniel Brennan, his daughter in law Gretchen (nee Mount), and by his eight grandchildren Brigid, Tiarnan, Megan, Liam, Niall, Clare, Maeve and Aidan..

His spirit will live on through the thousands of lives he touched through the years.

 Funeral Mass at Francis of Assisi Church, Orland Park.  Interment  in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.