Johndo / Immortal Howden Ender

[Scotty]

It is with a heavy heart that I post this message today. Our friend and fellow supporter John MacKenzie, known as "Johndo" or Immortal Howden Ender (and likely quite a few other things to some of you) passed away this morning while waiting for surgery.

More details and tributes to follow from many of us I am sure. 

On a personal level, I have known Johndo since I was a kid in Dalneigh. Johndo was a few years older than me, and he was always one of those you looked at as one of the cool kids.

Quite apart from his role as Dad and Granddad, he was also a hardworking and dedicated mental health medical professional in real life, but outside of that stressful environment, most of us knew him more as a joker, irreverent character,  and a wind-up merchant extraordinaire when it came to the football, whether that was Caley before the merger, or by embracing Caley Thistle after the merger, and inevitably becoming a lightning rod of criticism for those who didn't agree with his choice to follow the new club. 

Above everything else, Johndo was a friend to all who knew him.

If there is a group picture of Caley Thistle fans, be it in Romania, at Hampden, or some far flung lower division ground, Johndo is probably in it, marshalling the support somewhere. 

I am really lost for words of tribute for him right now as I have a thousand memories going through my head ... being led astray in the Tarry on occasions when visiting in recent years, unexpectedly seeing his mug on my telly in Toronto when the fans got interviewed at Hampden, or just reading his pearls of wisdom on here and looking beyond the wind-up merchant to the deep thinker he actually was.

Rest in Peace Johndo. I will miss you my friend. 

Will raise a large Voddie & Coke to you tonight and I know you will be having a sesh up there with Brosno, Big Stew and others. 

 

 

 

 

[Ronaldo]

Stunned at this news, I have also known Johndo since we were boys, are the same age,  condolences to all the family. A larger than life character in every sense. RIP John.

[tm4tj]

Just found out five minutes ago. Devastated by this. He was a larger than life character and a great contributer on this site. I'll need some time to take this in. 

RIP my friend, until we meet again.

[highlandexile]

Absolutely gutted to hear the news.  Been friends for a long time with Johndo and I too have been led astray by him many times over the years!

He will be missed greatly.  Away games will not be the same without him.

 

[+snorbens_caleyman]

That's very, very sad news.  

I was in the same year as him in the Academy, and although our paths didn't cross often, everyone knew him and he was a friend to all.

Our paths did cross in the spring of 1974, when we had a mock general election.  I was "chairman" of a party who shall remain nameless.  Johndo was the entirety of his own party.  The result was never in doubt, with him winning on an unstoppable tide of populism.

I last saw him on a hot night in Romania, but he didn't look as though he would welcome conversation.

He's not the first from my school year to pass away, but he was still far too young.  It's a shame that he won't see the club climb out of it's current hole.

My commiserations and sympathy go to his family, and to his very many friends.

 

[+old caley girl]

Truly awful news. No words at moment as can't get my head round this news yet 

[davie]

I'm genuinely upset at this. As a mental health nurse, I'd known him since I was a student at Craig Dunain. Believe me, his mischief wasn't confined to football but he was an absolute professional. Life and soul, same as he was at every game he attended.

This is one of these passings that really leaves a void. RIP IHE

[+L_G]

Such a shock and a huge loss to many. He will be sorely missed by so many. I'm sure there will be lots of stories to flow and through the sadness there will be many smiles. I'm sure that's what he would want.

[dougal]

Absolute devastated to be reading  this I’m in total shock. 
Johndo will be sadly missed by the entire ICT family a huge miss at games and on CTO it just won’t be the same without him. 
My heart and condolences go out to all his family and friends . 

RIP my friend

Dougal

 

 

Edited July 23, 2024 by dougal

[alimci]

That's truly awful news, he was a legend.

[+Gringo]

Oh my goodness me. I'm shocked by this news. What a guy. Have met him on many occasions, a true Caley and ICT legend who loved the club over many years. My sincere condolences to all his family and friends. Love and respect to you Johndo may you rest in peace.  

[Scotty]

5 minutes ago, L_G said:

I'm sure there will be lots of stories to flow and through the sadness there will be many smiles. I'm sure that's what he would want.

Yes, this thread, whilst sombre at the moment, should be a place we can remember the utter chaos Johndo could leave in his wake. I look at the message I got a little while ago and still cant believe it, also look at his profile to see he was still active on here yesterday, and it just doesnt compute, but when I pause for a second, rather than feel devestated (which I am), i cant help getting a small smile across my face as yet another Johndo memory pops into my head ...   

[Yngwie]

Stunned to hear this, what a sad loss. He was so passionate about ICT and about everything else in his life. Thoughts are with his family in particular.

I mentioned Johndo’s passing to my wife, who knew exactly who I meant despite her only having met him a few times in pre-match pubs about 20 years ago - that speaks volumes!

[bishbashbosh]

Can’t believe it.

On Sunday I posted a 50 year old photo of us playing for caley A team in the investment thread.  I added what I thought was a joke saying IHE photo bombed the picture. He added a smiling emoji.
 Condolences to his family and friends.

RIP teammate 

 

[Yngwie]

6 hours ago, Scotty said:

look at his profile to see he was still active on here yesterday, 

Fittingly, his last act on this site was to laugh, and not just that, but to laugh at himself!

 

Edited July 23, 2024 by Yngwie

[lizi]

Awful news - we will all miss our Johndo, such a lovable rogue, an ardent supporter of Caley and ICT.   I'll miss his hugs in the North Stand and at away games.  Sincere sympathy to Mrs Johndo and all his family.  Lizi x

[Council Juice]

Just saw the update on Facebook.  Devasting news.

Johndo is a legend of CTO and his presence will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with all his family and friends.

I've not been on the forum a great deal since I moved over the pond but his unrivalled wit and banter was always something to look forward to.

The Howden End will never die! Go in peace our Immortal Howden Ender!

[The Mantis]

Johndo in typical attire at Fleetwood, 2010.
"The Howden End will never die... the Howden End is in the sky".

[Charles Bannerman]

Dreadful news. Johndo was three years behind me at the Academy and a member of a very good school team that also included Davie Milroy, Billy Urquhart, Andy Smith and others. To say “larger than life” is a huge understatement. Wonderful on here too.

[Scotty]

10 minutes ago, Council Juice said:

Johndo is a legend of CTO and his presence will be greatly missed.

Member #25 .. I will need to look at who pre-dates him, but pretty much in with the bricks on here since 1994 and definitely a cornerstone of the site for decades. Some may try to emulate him in future, but I am guessing none will quite reach that bar (although a large Voddie and coke should be ordered if they do reach the bar). Strangely enough, when I look at his profile, he got his last warning as far back as 2009 and I think that wound him up as much as he wound me up in the previous years where he was forever trying to get under the skin .  

[LisleRightPeg]

Very sad news. Thoughts are with his family 

[robbylad]

Really sad news. Condolences to everyone who crossed his path. Certainly left his mark.

[Kind of Blue]

Very sad to hear this awful news. My condolences to his family and friends.

[PartTimer]

So sorry to read this. Johndo was a huge part of the club and the whole matchday experience. A true club legend. The Howden End in the sky just got a whole lot noisier. Condolences to the whole family. He will be sadly missed.

[bdu98196]

Thoughts with his family and friends. Not a person id met in person but clearly the definition of a stalwart fan and will be missed with his contribution on here and throughout.