Griffin, Gerry
August 17, 2006
The late Gerry Griffin
The death of Gerry Griffin, Drumboe Cottages, Stranorlar which took place peacefully after a short illness at the Donegal Hospice on August 4th, 2006, has evoked widespread regret in the community and much further afield. It also sees the passing of one of the locality's best known, liked and respected senior residents.
Gerry's working life started at a young age when he followed in his late father John Griffin's footsteps to work in C.D.R., and then at Bus Eireann where he spent 46 years. During this time he travelled the length and breadth of the country first as a lorry driver and then as a bus driver, and became a well-known and popular figure, especially on the Ballybofey/Derry route driving through the darkest days of the Northern troubles.
Gerry was also a keen sportsman, his first love being the GAA football and during the golden era of Sean Mac Cumhaills, he was a member of the winning teams of 1955, 57 and 59. And also of the famous three in a row team of 1962, 63 and 64.
His legendary training sessions brought Sean MacCumhaills to victory in the senior championship of 1977. Gerry managed numerous successful under-age teams and served his county as a senior team manager and then went on to become a well respected inter county referee.
In later years he was a founding group member of the ladies GAA in Donegal and up to his death he served as president.
Gerry was not only a champion on the Gaelic field but also on the dance floor. Throughout his life he and his wife Mary to whom he was happily married for 54 years, were familiar figures on the ballroom dancing scene where their waltzes, quicksteps and fox trots were always greeted with applause.
In the later years of his life Gerry's dedication to his faith shone through, as a Sacristan in St Mary's Church Stranorlar, where he served for nine years. Gerry found his years at St Mary's both fulfiling and rewarding and was held in high regard by the parishioners.
Gerry was known in the community as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His wife and family of eleven were the hub of his life and he was never happier then when spending time with his 35 grandchlidren and eight great-grandchildren, who were a great comfort to him in his later years especially when his health started to fail.
Many of the lifelong friends he made in his years with Bus Eireann, through his football, dancing and the church, gave great comfort to his grieving family at the wake with their stories of how Gerry had touched their lives.
A Guard of Honour from Sean MacCumhaill's victorious championship teams escorted Gerry's cortege from his home in Drumboe, to St Mary's Church where the Requiem Mass was celebrated by P.P., Fr. Kieran McAteer, assisted by Gerry's friend of many years Mons. Dan McDyer and family friend Deacon Philip Kemmy.
Readings were given by Gerry's daughter Christina, and son Larry. Prayers of the Faithful were read by Nicola McGinty, Kirsty Laverty, Lisa and donna Griffin, Rebecca McGinty, Nathan Griffin, Stephen Kemmy and Suzanne Griffin.
In his eulogy Fr. McAteer paid a moving tribute to Gerry.
Music and solos were by Aine Griffin, Monica Ramsay and granddaughters Marissa and Alana Kemmy. After Mass burial took place in Drumboe Cemetery where Fr. Pat McGarvey officiated and a reflection was read by granddaughter Megan McGinity.
Gerry is survived by his wife May, sons Larry, Martin, Kenny, Noel, Seamus, Gerard and Tony; daughters Christina, Mary, Ann and Sharon; sister Tess; grandchildren and great-grandchildren to whom sympathy is extended.
Courtesy of The Donegal Democrat
17/08/2006
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