Born | Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ireland | 6 April 1921
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Died | 20 October 2013 Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, England | (aged 92)
Sport country | Northern Ireland |
Professional | 1947–1990 |
Highest ranking | 48 (1983–84) |
John Joseph Rea (6 April 1921 – 20 October 2013) was a Northern Irish snooker player. He was the leading Irish snooker player until the emergence of Alex Higgins and held the Irish Professional title almost continuously from 1947 to 1972.
Rea reached the semi-final of the 1952 World Championship, losing to Fred Davis. With interest in professional snooker in decline, he was one of four entries for the 1957 World Championships, and lost to John Pulman in the final despite being ahead in the early stages. He won the 1954/1955 News of the World Snooker Tournament, winning all his eight matches and taking the first prize of £500. He continued playing professional snooker until 1990. Outside of competition, he was known for his entertaining exhibition matches.