The late Maurice Fitzgerald Maurice Fitzgerald, who died after a short illness on May 26th, 2007, was born in Tralee on May 2, 1929, the oldest son of David and Margaret Fitzgerald (nee Egan). The family lived first in Boherbee and later in Manor West. Maurice was educated by the Christian Brothers in The Green. At the age of 17 he moved to Dublin to take up a job with the Department of Posts and Telegraphs (later Eircom), retiring in 1994 as district supervisor for North Dublin/Meath. The large number of mourners at Maurice's removal and funeral was testament to the many friends he made during more than 60 happy years in Dublin. However, he never lost his affection for his native county and loved nothing more than to return to visit his family and some close friends with whom he had kept in contact with over the years. His connection with Tralee was further strengthened with the marriage in 2002 of his youngest son, John, to Pauline, daughter of Ted and Catherine Fitzgerald of Clash Cross, Tralee. Throughout his life Maurice retained a strong interest in the GAA and, in 1955, was a founder member of the Na Fianna club in Dublin. It was through Na Fianna that he met his wife, Marie (Gray), sister of Jimmy, the Dublin County Board chairman during the 1970s. This gave a domestic edge to that great Dublin/Kerry rivalry which, it has to be said, was more in Maurice's favour in recent years. Maurice was also a member of the Dublin Kerryman's Association and for 30 years a member of Royal Tara Golf Club in Meath. While Maurice enjoyed much success and good fortune throughout his life, his main interest was always his family - his wife, daughter Margaret, sons Brian (London), Brendan, Niall and John. In December 2006, he suffered the loss of his beloved elder sister, Joan, and is survived by his brothers David in Tralee and Mons John in California and by Sr Margaret of the Convent of Mercy, Killarney. When he passed away in the Mater Hospital, he was surrounded by his family. For a man who loved Kerry all his life, it was fitting that the Sigerson Clifford poem I Am Kerry was read out by his son Niall, to the mourners at his funeral in Glasnevin in Dublin. His family would in particular like to express their sincere gratitude to all who travelled from Kerry for his funeral and who called or sent their condolences. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him for his gentle humour, generosity and kindness. Courtesy of The Kerryman 13 June 2007 Tweet

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