Mr John Jess

MR John Alexander Jess, of 49 Millbrook Drive, Ballynahinch, who has died aged 84, had a lifelong love of cycling and was known to many as the ‘Cycling Legend of Leapoughs.’

One of three sons, he was born in 1931 to May and Joe Jess and was the only surviving child. His love of cycling became apparent at an early age, even though a bicycle was his necessary mode of transport to work in Belfast.

This spring-boarded him into cycle racing, which was to bring him much enjoyment, championships, prizes and eventually his beloved wife and partner for life, Kalla.

She originally attended races to cheer on her eldest brother, Albert Ewart, who was one of John’s biggest cycling rivals. Cycling brought them together and they were happily married for some 60 years.

They had a large family of seven sons and one daughter. As a result of family commitments, John’s time for competitive cycling came to an end, but he never lost his life for cycling and watched races on television up until his death.

Highlights of his career included winning the One Mile Championship at Celtic Park in 1948, finishing runner-up in the same race the following year, beating the  Australian Olympic team at the RUC Sports at Ravenhill in 1949, winning the Quarter Mile All-Ireland Championship in College Park, Dublin, in 1949 and winning the Two Mile Championship in Comber.

A retired diesel mechanic, Mr Jess also enjoyed motorcycling and pool. However, his main interest was his family, to which he was devoted.

He is survived by six sons, Raymond, Gordon, John, Allister, Stuart and Ralph, and by a daughter, Irma.