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.
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.
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.
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