John Eastwood, or ‘Coco’ as he was known to family and friends, was a titan of Northern Ireland’s demolition and waste industry who helped reshape and regenerate its architectural landscape throughout his long and respected career.
Born in Andersonstown in west Belfast in 1953, John earned his first scrap docket at the age of six and couldn’t wait to leave school to work with his father Raymie in the family demolition and scrap business.
He helped his father take on several high-profile demolition jobs, including the Gasworks, Dupont factory and the original cranes used to build the Titanic.
In 1986, John met his beloved wife Suzanne. Five years later, they joined forces to create Eastwood Demolition.
This successful partnership, forged through love and tremendous work ethic, provided employment for hundreds of people.
John and his eldest son Johnny oversaw the demolition of landmark buildings including the New Vic cinema, Drumkeen Hotel, Sirocco Ropeworks, the Jubilee hospital and old Victorian wards at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
He was also ably assisted by son Raymie and daughters Natalie and Lisa, who helped the company blossom into the thriving family business it is today.
John took so much pride in his work as a ‘demolition man’ that a few months ago, as he lay in the City Hospital, he couldn’t stop himself looking down from a window in the tower block to oversee his workforce as they demolished the nearby former Russell Court hotel and legendary Bob Cratchit’s bar.
John’s lifelong hobby was karting and motor racing. From the moment he first set foot on a kart on St Patrick’s Day in 1969, he was hooked.
He became a committed member of the Ulster Karting Club and in 2008, when it looked like the iconic Nutts Corner circuit would be forced to close, he stepped in to buy it.
John and his family upgraded the facilities to world class level and nurtured countless upcoming drivers.
He passed his passion for karting onto his three sons, Johnny, Raymie and Charlie, which culminated in his youngest son forging a highly successful career as a professional racing driver.
John’s heart burst with pride when Charlie became Ireland’s first World Karting Champion in Portugal in 2012.
He travelled the world to support him as he won British and European titles and his epic Le Mans 24 hours victory in 2020 was a dream come true.
In the days before John died, he gave Charlie his blessing to travel to Bahrain for the final round of the World Endurance Championship.
He didn’t live to see him compete but would have been so proud that he found the mental resilience to earn a podium finish, which he dedicated to his dad.
John would also have been tickled pink that there wasn’t a dry eye at his wake when those who came to pay their respects gathered around the TV to cheer and cry as Charlie drove one of the most symbolic races of his life.
John was a man of great faith, but his colourful life was not without its challenges.
He developed an addiction to alcohol that he struggled with in his early twenties. But rather than let it beat him, John was blessed with sobriety for 45 years and became a founder of Derryvolgie AA group in Belfast.
He went on to help countless people with their struggles and many who joined AA credited John with saving their lives and going on to live ‘One Day at a Time’.
John was a passionate racehorse owner and took great delight when his horse ‘Thanks Be’ won at Royal Ascot in 2019.
He was also renowned for his love of playing Irish music on his guitar and banjo, and was a committed GAA supporter. He made regular trips to Croke Park and helped fund new facilities for his local club, Carryduff GAC.
John’s greatest passion was his family. When he met Suzanne 38 years ago, she became the love of his life as well as his business partner, partner in crime and best friend.
His children Johnny, Raymie, Natalie, Lisa and Charlie and 10 grandchildren – Ruby, Jaz, Coco, Nina, Zara, Mia, Layla, Alba, Erin and Luca – were the ultimate product of that love.After a fatal sepsis infection, John’s last wish was to be at home, surrounded by his loving family.
For a wee man, John was a big character, with an even bigger heart.
It didn’t matter if you were a prince or a pauper, he always had a word for everyone he met.
More than 2,000 people attended his wake and funeral following his death aged 71 on October 31, testament to the high regard and love for ‘Coco.’
John was a proud Irishman who lived life to the full, ‘One Day at a time’.
Natalie Maynes