Murdered Kerry man's family fears they may lose California home

The family of the Kerry man who was shot dead in California in August may lose their home and business if they don’t receive a bailout in the next few weeks.

Krista Clem O’Sullivan, the wife of 47-year-old John Michael O’Sullivan, who was shot dead by his neighbor after a dispute in August, told IrishCentral’s sister publication the Irish Voice on Tuesday that she is beside herself with worry about the future of her children.

The ranch that Clem O’Sullivan shared with her husband and four children in Fiddletown, Amador County in California, and their second home in Shelter Cove (which they rent out as a vacation home), are under serious threat of being repossessed.

Clem O’Sullivan can’t afford the mortgage of both houses. The bank has given her until January 5 to come up with a payment plan.

“The mortgage company was working with John with respect to the home loan but it doesn't look like they are going to work with me,” said the worried widow.

Clem O’Sullivan, 43, said the death of her husband has been “overwhelming.”

“I am just so tired trying to do everything,” said Clem O’Sullivan, a native Californian who married John in 2006.   

“We helped each other with everything, farm stuff, the businesses, just about everything. We were a great team,” Clem O’Sullivan said.

“It’s so hard now with the four kids, and no John. He was very energetic and powerful, and he was such an exuberant person.”

O’Sullivan, who was the eldest of eight children from Valentia Island, County Kerry, left behind 16-month-old Tessie, Michael Seamus, 3, and two step children, Lydia, 8 and Jacob, 15.

Clem O’Sullivan said it was her husband’s Irish charm that won her over.

Recalling with fondness when they first began dating, she said John pursued her for a while before she agreed to go out with him.

Laughing, she said, “He was a real charmer. After pursuing me for a while I gave in and we went on a date, and I’m glad I did.

“John was amazing. He was such a darling with the kids (Lydia and Jacob). He was a real family man,” she added.

Ironically, Clem O’Sullivan said when John proposed she wanted to be sure he was the one.

“I didn’t want to be a single mother for a second time,” said Clem O’Sullivan, sadly laughing at the irony.  

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Nster.com