Quinn, Michael
June 09, 2011On May 31st in Cork University Hospital, Michael was called to his heavenly home.
A native of Cappagh, Askeaton, where he was born on June 29th, 1942, he served in An Garda Siochana for 31 years all of them in Kerry.
Michael was the youngest of four and grew up on this parents' farm in Cappagh. He received his early education at Adare CBS and on the completion of his Leaving Certificate he did a secretarial course in McNamara's College in Limerick.
He worked as a clerk in Shannon Foundry for one and a half years but decided to become a garda and did his training in Templemore, passing out in September 1964.
His first station was Beaufort for six months and he then went to Killarney for one and half years before he came to Tralee as superintendent clerk he remained here until his retirement in 1995.
Michael married the love of his life, Colette Kelly, from Askeaton on June 15th, 1968 and they were blessed with six children, Dermot, Aidan, Colette, Deirdre, John and Michael.
Michael was a family man, a true gentleman, sincere, kind and always there to give good advice.
He was a keen gardener and having hurled with Adare in the 60's, had a great passion for the game. He enjoyed his many trips to visit family and friends during the years and was involved in many organisations including the Garda Social Club; St John's Cemetery, Brewery Road, The Board of Management of CBS, The Green and served as Chairman of the Kidney Association, Kerry Branch.
After retiring from the force, Michael worked for three years as a gardener and caretaker of CBS primary school at Clounalour, near his home. He enjoyed his time there.
However, he developed kidney problems which took their toll on his health. For a period of three years, he received dialysis on three days in Kerry General Hospital. In March '02 he received a kidney transplant in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
During these 13 years Michael received great care and attention from his loving wife Colette; his GP, Dr Liam Hayes, Elaine Dennehy, renal nurse specialist in KGH; Dr Plant, Dr Clarkson and Dr Eva Long at CUH, not forgetting Tralee's Dr Tommy McCarthy in the early years.
The esteem in which Michael was held was firmly in evidence by the huge crowds who attended at his home on both days and his funeral Mass in St Brendan's Church said by Fr Patsy Lynch and assisted by Fr Dan Canniffe. Burial took place to Realt na Mara Cemetery, Churchill.
Michael is survived by his wife Colette, sons Dermot, Aidan, John and Michael and daughters Colette and Deirdre, grandchildren Jack, Jimmy, Ryan and Daniella, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, brothers Paddy and Con, sister Mary, nieces, nephews, kind neighbours, garda colleagues and many friends.
Ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris.
Courtesy of the Kerry's Eye
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