It is with deep sorrow that Kyra Dreher, Fabian Paagman and Jean-Luc Treutenaere, Co-Presidents of the European & International Booksellers Federation
– EIBF – announce the sudden death, on 4.01.2015, of John McNamee, past President.
John Mc Namee was President of the European Booksellers Federation from 2005 to April 2014.
In that time he won the admiration and respect of everyone with whom he worked. He was an indefatigable champion of bookselling and the promotion of reading.
John was involved with World Book Day over many years and worked tirelessly to bring children to the joy of reading.
A local developer, he connected with people and organisations right across the community from schools to sports clubs to retirement homes, and beyond. He believed in the power of entrepreneurship and in the vital importance of engaging in the life of local society. This vision is what drove him.
Those who worked with him quickly knew that here was someone determined to make a difference. As president of the EBF, John never spared his energy in promoting the interests of booksellers and championing the role of the bookshop in the local community. John McNamee will be remembered as a dedicated bookseller and dynamic advocate of the bookselling trade.
EIBF director Françoise Dubruille said:
John Mc Namee led with passion, energy, and infectious commitment. He is a great loss to our industry. I shall miss him not only as a valued colleague but as a dear friend.
The EIBF community extends its deepest sympathy to his wife Betty, his son Eoin and family and his daughter Mary.
We will cherish his memory and, in the sorrow of his passing, we take solace in recognising the contribution that he made to the business that he loved..