Fitzgerald, Jim
October 18, 2012There was great sadness all round at the news of the death of Jim Fitzgerald. A true gentleman, he will be sadly missed by all who knew and respected home. A tough but fair teacher, he touched the lives of 100s of young people in a positive way. Jim taught in Boherbue Comprehensive for almost 40 years before he retired as vice-principle two years ago.
He was very active in the community, involved in the Gaa, the Credit Union and was also a valued member of the Board of Management in Newmarket Girls School. Jim was a very popular figure within Newmarket GAA Club. In recent years, following his retirement from teaching, having known so many past and present players, Jim took up a position as a selector in the club's junior hurling teams of 2010 and 2011. In 2010, Jim was a member o the selection committee which claimed the Singleton Cup, the first hurling trophy secured by a Newmarket adult team in twenty seven years.
During the current year, Jim was a selector with the clubs under 21 and junior football teams before illness curtailed his input. In previous years. Jim served as a selector on several club underage teams and would have been a major influence on numerous club players though his involvement with teams down though the years at Boherbue Comprehensive School. Jim held the role of Club Register in the past and also served on several club committees. Jim was held in the highest respect and esteem by everybody with whom he had been in contact with. This was particularly evident at his funeral and guard of honour. As a mark of respect, a minutes silence was held prior to the Singleton Cup Final on Sunday between Newmarket and Castlemagner.
A huge crowd turned out to pay their respects at his removal and funeral with a guard of honour comprising Jim's many friends and colleagues. Funeral took place on Thursday, October 11, after requiem Mass in St. Mary's Church. The chief celebrant was an old friend of Jim's Fr. Ml. Corkery. Burial took place in Clonfert Cemetery. We extended sincere sympathy to his wife and best friend Peg, his beloved children Paddy, Anna, Jerry and Bríd, his cherished grandchildren Ned, Jerh and Eilis, sisters Mary, Hannah and Kate, brother Patrick, son-in-law Mike, daughters-in-law Mary and Aedín, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis.
(Text courtesy of The Corkman 18/10/12) Tweet
