His many friends in Clare mourned the death of well-known journalist, Gerry Slevin, who was a popular member of The Clare Champion newsroom staff for a total of 11 years. A native of Borrisokane, he was 72-years-old.

He worked as a senior journalist with The Clare Champion from June 1978 to July 1989, after which he returned to his native Tipperary to become editor of the Nenagh Guardian from 1989, until he retired in 2004.
Gerry started his career in journalism as a junior reporter with the Midland Tribune in Birr in 1962. He later moved to the Westmeath -Offaly Independent in Tullamore and then became a senior reporter with the Nenagh Guardian in 1969.

He joined the newsroom staff of The Clare Champion in 1978 at a time when big changes were taking place in the newspaper with the changeover from the old hot metal system to web offset printing. It was also the year in which the newsroom moved to a new location within the existing building. During his years with The Champion, he was assigned to many important stories and events. He also covered all major Gaelic football games at club and inter-county level.

As was said at his funeral mass in Nenagh on Tuesday, Gerry was a man of many talents. He was a fine singer and featured in many musicals in the counties in which he worked. Among the societies that benefited from Gerry's talents were the Ennis Musical Society. He also featured in shows in Miltown Malbay, Ennistymon, Nenagh, Birr and Tullamore. He was also involved with the Association of Irish Musical Societies and edited its monthly journal. In the '90s, he was president of the organisation for two years and was later awarded with their 'Unsung Hero' award in recognition of his outstanding service to the association.
Gerry served as a committee member of Clare Scor and in 1986, had the honour of winning a Clare Scor title for recitation. He was also involved with Cloughleigh Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann branch and of Scoraoícht drama. During that time, his wife, Lily, also organised a number of successful Irish dancing schools in Clare.

He was author of two books, Years of Plenty, which documented Tipperary's camogie victories from 1999 to 2004 and Through Memories Haze, which recorded career. He donated the proceeds of the sales of the books to the Tipperary Supporters' Club and the county's Camogie Supporters' Club.
His interest in drama also inspired him to write a play, Winds of Change, which was staged by two local drama groups and, in recent years, he was presented with a GAA Media Award for his coverage of games. In his retirement, Gerry continued to contribute reports and feature stories for the Nenagh Guardian, as well as a weekly column.

Outside of work and his family commitments, his next great passion was the GAA. His huge involvement at all levels of the association led to him being appointed editor of Tipperary GAA's first yearbook in 1970. He went on to edit six more editions.
Gerry reported on and attended many of the outstanding games involving his beloved Tipperary and it was poignant that his death at Milford Care Centre last Saturday after a short illness should come about just hours before Tipperary won another Munster Senior Hurling Championship.

However, he was remembered at the Pairc Ui Chaoimh game, as he was one of three people for whom a minute's silence was observed.
It was a moving moment and, after the announcement before the game, the crowd of 36,000 broke into spontaneous applause, Fr Seamus Gardiner said at Gerry's funeral mass on Tuesday.
Fr Gardiner, a close friend of Gerry's four many years, was chief celebrant at the funeral mass. Among the con-celebrants was the retired Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh.

Fr Gardiner said Gerry had a huge influence on the GAA that he loved. He also had the honour of winning the first Munster title in Scór in 1969 and again in 1970, both for recitation. He also gave tremendous support to camogie in Tipperary.
Describing Gerry as a man of many abilities, Fr Gardiner said he used them generously. He also put his talents to the benefit of his religion that was so important to him. He was generous of his time to St Mary's Church, Nenagh as a reader, in the choir and as a reader, in the choir and as a cantor. He was also a great communicator of church news and diocesan affairs.

Fr Gardiner told the big attendance that when his illness was diagnosed. Gerry faced it with great bravery and strength.
Despite all his activities and interests, Gerry was a great family man and they were his first care and support and they were with him right through to the end, Fr Gardiner said.
"Yes, of course this is sad but Gerry packed so much into life that there are so many happy memories to remember, he said.
At its meeting in Ennis on Monday, Clare County Council passed a vote of sympathy with the Slevin family. Mayor of Clare, Pat Hayes paid tribute to Gerry, as did former mayor of Clare Councillor Christy Curtin, Councillor, Gabriel Keating spoke about the great coverage Gerry gave to Gaelic football in Clare.

There were large and representative attendances at the removal of Gerry's remains from his home at Arden, Gortlandroe, Nenagh to St Mary's of the Rosary Church, Nenagh on Monday evening and again at the funeral mass on Tuesday.
At the Nenagh Guardian premises, staff members formed a guard of honour as the funeral passed on its way to Lisboney Cemetery near Nenagh.

Gerry is survived by his wife, Lily; son, Bryan; daughters, Niamh and Laura; brothers, Eamonn and Brendan; sister, Anne; sister-in-law; aunt, Ciss; sons-in-law; daughter-in-law; grand-children; nephews; nieces; relatives and many friends.

Courtesy of Clare Champion 15th July 2011 Tweet

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