Ryan, Ollie
May 31, 2012The very large crowds that attended the removal and funeral Mass reflected the very high esteem in which he was held by everybody.
Fr Corkery in his homily said that Ollie had the great gift of making each person he met feel very important and that he had been very involved in all activities in the parish and the community. He had been a past member of the parish council and was chairman of the board of management of the national school and was always willing to give of his time in helping others.
His brother Liam said that Ollie was a great family man who was very proud of the progress that Terence, Barry and Catherine had made in their chosen careers.
Ollie was born in Bruree, but the entire family moved to Ballyhooly shortly afterwards when his father was appointed principal of Ballyhooly NS. Ollie attended the local national school and always maintained a great love and interest in activities in Ballyhooly. He attended secondary school in St Colman's Fermoy where he made many lifelong friends and later attended All Hallows College in Dublin for a few years before going to UCC where he graduated with a Banchelor of Arts Degree.
He returned to Fermoy and spent his entire teaching career in St Colman's where he won the respect of fellow teachers and pupils. Several past pupils commented over the past few days on how Ollie had instilled a great sense of confidence and self esteem to everybody in the classroom. He had been very active in producing and editing the annual St Colman's magazine for many years.
When Ollie married Mary O'Brien they set up home at 'Hawes' in Ballinroe, which was his maternal homestead and thus became active in community life in Glanworth parish. He was deeply involved in the juvenile GAA as secretary and mentor for many years, where he imparted a great love and respect for sport among many of the current adult players in our club. He was a great motivator and there was always silence in the dressingroom when Ollie spoke.
He has been PRO of Glanworth GAA for many years and his weekly articles in The Avondhu always gave a very detailed and positive account of all activities. It was not in his nature to be negative, so therefore it was well known that no Glanworth player ever had a bad match. He had a great sense of local history and he excelled in his role as MC at medal presentation nights or when winning teams returned to the village.
His introduction of each player at these events was legendary, where he made players and parents/grandparents proud of their sporting achievements.
He was particularly proud that both his sons Terence and Barry, were members of the recent county junior winning team and that they were following in the family tradition when his brother Liam was a member of the 1954 winning team and Ollie was the young mascot at 10 years of age. Because of his immense modesty, the playing contribution of both Terence and Barry was always understand in his match reports - rarely mentioned - only in team list - but it has to be acknowledged that both have key players within our club.
Ollie was a true friend of everybody and had a special rapport with all the players. This was clearly demonstrated when the entire U21 panel called to visit him at home with the cup following their recent North Cork victory. This visit gave him immense pride and satisfaction and he really enjoyed their company.
His weekly articles were also a commentary on all social activities within the parish, where he kept out emigrants working abroad informed on weddings, christenings and bereavements in the area. His words were of great comfort to many bereaved families over the years.
Ollie was interested in all sport but Man United had a special place in his heart and he loved and enjoyed his many trips to Old Trafford. He also loved to travel and especially loved his visits to Paris. He was predeceased by his loving sister Patricia and brother Father Noel.
Our deepest sympathy goes to his loving wife Mary, Terence, Barry and Catherine, his brother Liam, daughter-in-law Sarah and granddaughter Sarah and granddaughter Kate Patricia and all his relatives and friends. He will be sadly missed by his many friends and colleagues.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis. Ni beidh a leithead ann aris.
- Courtesy of The Avondhu, 31st May 2012 Tweet
