Rea did everything for the betterment of farm families
Since his early days as a member of Macra na Feirme his objective changed little. He worked to achieve rightful recognition for farming as a profession, and justice for farmers to enable them to provide a decent living from the land for their families. He believed they were entitled to that, and worked untiringly to achieve that objective, to which he was totally committed.
Outwardly, he mostly targeted the economic side of agriculture, but he was really very much a family man at heart. In everything he did, the aim was the betterment of the farm family, the provision of a better income from farming to ensure a quality of life for the farmer’s wife and family.
He believed farming should provide a comfortable standard of living and ensure a good education for the family. So often, he was heard to say that increased income was meaningless unless it contributed to the quality of life on the farm family, because the farm family was central in his plan.
He didn’t think kindly of cumbersome officialdom which stood in the way of, or slowed down, progress.
His plans were always carefully thought out, and once he was satisfied that it was the right thing to do, and that it served the best interest of farmers, he was fearless in his determination to deliver with the least delay. He packed a lot into a relatively short life. His integrity, his sincerity, his quick thinking intellect, his determination, and his fearlessness, made him a man that some feared, others loved, but all respected and very many treasured as a true friend.
Devoting his unquestionable leadership talents for the service and benefit of all farmers, opportunity for self-gain was put aside.
He reached a high standard of success through his days in Macra na Tuaithe, Macra na Feirme, Farm Apprenticeship Board, FBD, NFA, Greenshare — and many more involvements — and left a legacy to which farmers are indebted.
Irish farming has lost a committed leader, but the loss has been greatest to his wife, Margaret, daughter Trina, sons Michael and Martin, to whom our deepest sympathy is extended. Now that Joe — who has left an indelible mark on Irish farming — has passed on to his eternal reward, may he rest in peace.
