The late Jack Cantwell Professionalism, pursuit of excellence and a compassionate interest in the lives of his associates were the hallmarks of a career spanning over 40 years as Chief Medical Technologist at Waterford Regional Hospital. It is with deep regret that we record the death of Sean (Jack) Cantwell, Bishopsgrove, Ferrybank and formerly of Kilkenny city. Just a couple of weeks shy of his 80th birthday, Mr Cantwell died at his residence shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve. His remains were removed to the Church of the Sacred Heart on St Stephens Day where they were received by Fr Jim Crotty, PP and Fr Ray Dempsey, CC. Also present was the Emeriitus Bishop of Ossory, Dr Laurence Forristal and many of the priests who had served in Ferrybank over the years. Mr Cantwell is survived and lovingly remembered by his children, John Mary, Francis, Eleanor, James, Gerard, Anne, Imelda and Dermot; daughters-in-law, sons-in-law; his brothers, Paschal, Ignatius, Jim and Tom; his sisters Sr Bridget, Josephine and Attracta; brother-in-law; sisters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and a wide circle of friends. Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife, Eileen, in 1996 and his undying love for her never faltered. His life's work was characterised by his passionate love of his family, his devotion to the Church and his dedication to the important work he carried out at Waterford Regional Hospital. Professionalism, pursuit of excellence and a compassionate interest in the lives of associates were the hallmarks of a career spanning over 40 years as Chief Medical Technologist at WRH. A vibrant faith was the foundation of an active Church life and involvement in Ferrybank Parish and was the guiding light of all aspects of his life. The condolences expressed by neighbours, friends, and associates in attendance at his funeral, were a testimony to the positive influence on all whose lives he touched and who were privileged to know him. A respected and well liked figure in the Ferrybank area, Mr Cantwell was chairman of the parish council for more than 20 years and before that, was a member of the old parish committee since 1965. He was a personal friend of the late Ferrybank parish priest, Fr Michael McGrath, who caused some controversy nationwide in the 1960s when he set up a parish council which gave lay members an unprecedented say in the running and administration of the parish.Fr McGrath proved to be a man of foresight and in his own way, a pioneer of the modern church. In the mid-1960s Mr Cantwell was an active member of the parish committee which helped Fr McGrath to respond to the Bisho of Ossory's urging to provide a site for a new church in the Ferrybank area should it be required. To the satisfaction of the late Bishop Peter Birch, the parish managed to purchase almost 3.5 acres on the Rockshire Road. Because the church was just a possibility in the future, the parish committee decided to put the land to community use and a huge voluntary effort cleared the site and it was transformed into a pitch and putt course. Today, it is one of the prime city sites north of the river. A keen gardener and DIY enthusiast, Mr Cantwell always had a keen interest in sport and as a young man, he played hurling, Gaelic football and soccer. He was the goalkeeper on the Cork Colleges team that won the 1947 championship. In Kilkenny he played his club hurling and football with Dicksboro. In all, Mr Cantwell spent 42 years as a medical laboratory technologist, thirty years of which were with the South East Health Board. An innovative and meticulous trailblazer in his field, he introduced and pioneered many systems which were later to be copied by other authorities across the country. A native of Kilkenny city, he was educated at Kilkenny CBS, Rockhestown College, Cork and University College Cork. He was President of the Rochestown PPU in 1975/76. He returned to Kilkenny where he spent a short time as a clerical officer with Kilkenny County Council as well as working within his family's building contracting business. In 1952, Mr Cantwell and Dr Kieran Cuddihy of Kilkenny set up a pathology practice which flourished for twelve years until in 1964 it evolved into the Health Board's regional service as part of the Waterford Health Authority. It was very much a pioneering exercise because, at that time, pathology in the provinces was unknown and, prior to Dr Cuddihy's and Mr Cantwell's initiative, all samples had been sent to University College Dublin for analysis. From a modest beginning the pair built an efficient practice with an excellent reputation and they went on to provide a service that was utilised by every county across the region. In the time prior to his retirement, Mr Cantwell was heavily involved in the computerisation of the laboratories at Waterford Regional Hospital and his considerable input will benefit the service, and the public for many years to come. He was a member of the executive of the Medical Laboratory Technologists Association for over twenty years and served several terms as chairman. He was also a member of the executive council of the Academy of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Dublin. The training programmes introduced and supervised by Mr Cantwell at Waterford Regional Hospital were recognised as superb throughout the profession not only in this country but also abroad. He was considered both a caring father figure and hard task master by his students, many of whom occupy senior positions in medical laboratories elsewhere. The fact that a person trained, or spent time in the laboratories at Waterford Regional Hospital, was and is a major plus for any candidate seeking a new position. As an interviewer, Mr Cantwell was actively involved with panels of the South Eastern Health Board and was also sought after by other authorities for his expertise in recognising the potential in candidates. - Kilkenny People, January 23, 2009 Tweet

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