John Maher from The Bush, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, who died recently, had a lengthy career in the farm machinery industry that spanned more than 60 years. John will best be remembered for his warm and welcoming personality, which allowed him to share his farm machinery knowledge in a very practical way.

John began his career as a tractor demonstrator in 1961 when he joined David Brown Tractors, who then had a depot at Broadstone in central Dublin. He graduated to being service manager and then area sales manager in 1971.

He then spent a brief period with the Smith Group, which had then taken on the franchise for the Polish-built Ursus tractor range. He returned to the David Brown fold, which had moved to the Naas Road, Dublin, as sales manager in 1974 and four years later established his own business – Maher Tractor Sales at the Bush, Dunshaughlin, where he was joined by his son Derek.

He had a brief spell as a Fendt dealer before becoming a Case IH agent where at one point the Axial-Flow combine harvester business was hugely important with annual workshops that supported more than 20 machines in his area. More recently, Maher Tractor Sales has been a Landini and McCormick tractor dealer.

John was also very involved in the Meath Ploughing Association, both as chairman and as a representative ploughman. He also had a huge interest and knowledge of vintage machinery.

To Gertrude, John’s wife of 65 years, his daughter Jacqueline and son Derek, we extend our deepest sympathy.