Professor Paddy Johnston made a difference

I am currently in India but have just heard that my great friend, Professor Paddy Johnston, vice chancellor of Queen's University, has died tragically.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jun 2017, 01:09 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2017, 01:20 BST

It is an understatement that to say that Paddy was a truly amazing person.

Our families have been close for over 50 years.

Paddy and I have been great friends for about the same amount of time! We went to St Columb’s College in Derry in the same class for seven years.

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I stayed with his uncle Niall McHugh from Derry when I went to Australia.

Before becoming the President of Queens University in Belfast, he was dean of medicine and pioneered leading research into innovation in cancer research. He truly made a difference in this world we live in.

Something we all aspire to do. He did it. He made a difference!

He led the way and others will hopefully follow.

He and his wonderful family stayed with us in Atlanta and I always popped in to see him on my regular trips through Belfast to spend time with Paddy and Iseult, his amazing wife.

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This is such a sad day for Derry, for Ireland and certainly one of the saddest days of my life.

We have all lost a very special person.

Peter Casey, CEO Claddagh Resource, International Recruitment, Buncrana and Atlanta

Related topics:IndiaBelfastDerryAustralia