Donal Garvey A long lifetime of giving and sharing The rather unexpected death of retired school vice-principal Mr. Donal Garvey on Sunday, 12th January has saddened many people in the city of his adoption. He was a native of Co. Galway and was aged 88. He had recently celebrated his Diamond Jubilee with his loving wife Rita, also a native of Co. Galway. Donal, from a large family came to Armagh to take up teaching at Greenpark CBS Secondary School in the late 1940s and spend many years there teaching French, History and Geography before retiring as Vice-Principal in 1982. He followed thoroughly in the path so carefully mapped out by CBS founder Brother Ignatius Rice, totally devoted to his profession with the welfare and well-being of his pupils continually at heart. Teaching was not merely a job for Donal Garvey, it was his life. He had an undying passion for Gaelic Games and played hurling for the CBS Past Pupils and later the newly formed Cuchulainns club helping them to win the Co. Antrim League. His coaching prowess and expertise also benefited Greenpark to no end and along with Jimmy McKeown in the late 50s and early 60s he revived gaelic football there. It was all so natural for Donal to be teaching the youth the rudiments of gaelic games. He remained a staunch Galway supporter relating stories to his young proteges of the great Western legends such as Sean Purcell and Frankie Stockwell, whom he knew well. Several years ago Donal and his wife Rita were heartbroken at the untimely death of their bright young academic son Don, an incalculable loss which they bore with tremendous fortitude, relying heavily on their unshakeable Catholic faith. When Donal first came to town he lodged in the Railway Street area and his early marriage years were spend in Niall's Crescent before moving to Rosemount Avenue. He had also an abiding love for gardening and his knowledge pertaining to horticultural matters was immense. He just loved working with his hands, a man of many parts, gifted in so many ways which a visit to his little woodwork shop would have borne testimony to. Like himself it was neat and shining. Donal was also a life long member of the PTTA and would have have been seen without his Pioneer pin. And he would never have been properly dressed without his parker pens in his breast pocket. They were certainly among his prized possession. He was first and foremost a family man, an exemplary husband and father. He was certainly never one for airs or graces and will long be remembered as a friendly and caring neighbour with a special place in his heart for those less fortunate in our society. He was a modest man who lived by showing good example. He was very much a Godly person and daily attender at Mass. In his retirement Donal remained active and on the go making frequent trips to his native Galway. His family remained central to his life and he was thrilled to see his grandson, Gerard McCoy, from Pearse Og, recently getting a county trial in the Dr. McKenna Cup. Donal was truly a remarkable man, working away in his garden and driving his car, always remaining dapper and fully alert. The largely attended funeral was from his home to St. Patrick's Cathedral was celebrated by Fr. Thomas McNulty. Being someone who loved and promoted all things Irish, it was only but fitting that this should be tunefully reflected in the singing and music at the Mass, the distinctive air of the Galway pipes basically saying it all. They came from all over Ireland t give thanks for Donal's wonderfully long and meaningful life. The CBS community and teaching profession were represented in large numbers. Internment took place in St. Patrick's Cathedral. Donal Garvey spend the greater part of his life in Armagh and it's there he will rest beneath it's green gentle sod. To his sorrowing wife Rita, son Jarlath (Cardiff), daughters Mrs. Marguerita McGovern (Galway) and Mrs. Maura McCoy (Armagh), brothers, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren and extended family circle heartfelt sympathy is extended. Courtesy of the Armagh Observer 24th January 2008 Tweet

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