The obituary notice of John Daniel GALLIVAN

I first met John around 1960 when we were students in UCD. We were friends in the Boat Club and then after we graduated there were many visits and meetings in Geneva, Barga, Bridge of Allan, Aberdeen (those New Year get-togethers!) and elsewhere. We both enjoyed traditional Irish music. We were just talking a few days ago about meeting up on his next trip to Dublin. I extend my deepest condolences to Tom, JP and Rory, and to his sisters Camilla, Sarah and Mary and all their families. His friendship and camaraderie will stay with me to the end. He was a wonderful man.

he and i were shipmates on the lady of avenal in `22. he didn`t go up the rigging or in the sea; but he was up for everything else like a youngster. john maddox

John was a good friend whom I first met on a train from NYC to LA in August 1963. We were both on our way to study at Caltech in Pasadena. He was larger then life, very intelligent, interested in everything, had exotic tastes and was always open to everything life had to offer.
He was also a great sportsman, rowed for UCD while a student there and played Gaelic football and rugby while in California. With another Corkman, Michael Mortell, we formed a folk group, the Caltech Celts, the first time I believe he burst upon the music scene.
Later John and I moved to Berkeley to continue our studies. There we lived with Antoine Roederer and we all thoroughly enjoyed our immersion into the '60's West Coast scene. Later John was my best man when I married Marcia and later still Antoine was John's best man and I was Antoine's when the the time came for those knots to be tied.
I saw John for the last time last August when he spent the night with us following a Gallivan family gathering in Dunquin. He was amused that we were living in an apartment in the old Kinsale Convent where his mother, born in the Old Head near here, had gone to school. He had really enjoyed the whole Gallivan tribe pow-wow and was his old ebullient and enthusiastic self when describing it to us.
My deepest sympathies go to his children, sisters and wider family. He was a good man and I shall always miss him while still fondly remembering the many great times we had together.

First of all my sincere condolences to all family and friends,
John has been an incredible colleague and friend during our professional lives and beyond; he was one to always help out. He leaves me, and many with me, with many good memories of our adventures in all the countries we ended up in.
thanks a million !
Robert Holtslag

Sean was a very talented person with many interests. He spoke many languages. We were both interested in Irish and Scottish Gaelic and used to sing Gaelic songs together at music sessions. We all miss him.
Helen Ross, Dunblane Folk Club.

John's talents extended from particle physics, with a PhD from Caltech & years at the prestigious CERN research centre in Geneva, to reservoir engineering , IT & geoscience, big data & astronomy, not to mention sailing, singing & whistle playing....
But John was not only very talented: in the 60 years I have known him, through good & difficult times, John has constantly shown good humour, enthusiasm, exceptional kindness, generosity & support.
“Nothing is created, nothing is lost , everything is transformed"... John will stay with us, in his children, in our minds and in our hearts.