Growing up John Casey’s family were so poor that often Santa couldn’t visit their home in Kerry. In spite of his humble beginnings John went on to become a high flying chef working in hotels like the Savoy in London. At the peak of his career John was running the kitchens in one of the Caribbean’s top resorts. The hours were long and John worked with tireless dedication and a ferocious drive to succeed.
Then unexpectedly he developed a brain tumour and nearly died. Looking back he wonders if it was the relentless pace at which he worked which brought him so close to death. Even when he collapsed his first thoughts were of the evening banquet he had been in the middle of preparing.
John was lucky to make a full recovery but never returned to his former working life. He returned to his native Kerry and now lives in a tiny village, Bolus, where he spends his time educating the local bachelor farmers on nutrition and cooking. His life has been transformed, and he reflects back on an experience which caused him to re-evaluate the price of success and the meaning of personal happiness.
‘I’m proud to be giving something back here… I miss the fast life sometimes, not always…look at my kids this is why I’m here… that was then this is now…onwards and upwards.’
John’s wife Deirdre;
‘If what happened to John hadn’t happened we wouldn’t be enjoying life like we are today, we’d still be striving!