MICK FITZGERALD WAS A TRUE FAMILY MAN WHO ABOUNDED WITH ENERGY
THE death occurred on Tuesday, April 21, of Mick Fitzgerald, 10 St Bridget’s Terrace, Carrigduff, Bunclody, Co Wexford, surrounded by his loving children.
Mick is mourned by his sons and daughters Darren, Wendy, Jacqueline, Robert, Natasha and Michael, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, to whom he greatly doted on, sisters, nieces and nephews, sons-in-law and sister-in-law.
Mick, who would have celebrated his 75th birthday on September 27, was diagnosed with cancer some 13 months ago.
He was the son of the late John and Eileen Fitzgerald and one of nine children, originally from Lauragh, Co Kerry. Mick is survived by his sisters Nora, Sheila, Maureen and Chrissie. A true Kerry man, he loved to speak of home and whenever he had the chance Mick would head back to Kerry for a holiday.
As a young man, Mick went to England to work where he met his soulmate, Chrissie, and quickly knew that they were a forever match. Chrissie used to say that when she walked by Mick’s workplace, he would whistle at her – the rest was history. They married in 1969 and started family life straight away.
When they returned to Ireland, they settled in Bunclody.
Mick began working in Slaney Meats in Clohamon, but went on to work the rest of his career in the construction industry with Byrne & Byrne. While with Byrne & Byrne, he was a well-respected foreman and worked with people who became his lifelong friends. Mick was a hard-working man. ‘Sure that’s what ye have – a grand working day’ was one of his many favourite sayings.
In between family life and work, Mick would have always been doing something on the side, especially if it meant being outside. He was secretary of the Gun Club for a time and each Sunday morning, the dogs would be called and off he would go to meet up with his mates for a day of shooting. The fishing season was another time he enjoyed, with all the neighbours benefiting from the catch.
Mick enjoyed being helpful to the neighbours and community of Bunclody – from fixing a leak to building an extension. He would never let anyone down and completed his work to perfection, as was noted in the several messages sent to his family after his passing.
No rest for Mick during retirement – it just wasn’t in his nature. He always had had several activities on the go, from wood turning to clock making. He even turned his hand to restoring furniture. Mick loved the fine weather to be able to get out and about.
He enjoyed sport and followed the matches on TV. A big part of Mick’s evening was to watch the political programmes each night. And he didn’t miss the opportunity when Vincent Browne came to Wexford – Mick headed down to join the audience.
In later years, Mick’s wife Chrissie became ill and as the devoted husband he was, he cared for her until she passed away in December 2017. Life changed drastically for Mick as he had lost the love of his life.
Shortly after losing Chrissie, Mick himself was diagnosed with cancer. For over a year, he fought the battle with dignity and strength and no complaints, no matter what the illness brought. He would attend Wexford and each time brought his sense of humour with him and the nurses would smile, knowing that he would make their day with a bit of banter. Mick had the utmost respect for his consultant and attending nurses for the care they provided to him and his family during this time. And when the time came, while saddened to be leaving his children, he did not see this as a loss as he knew he would be with Chrissie again.
Sadly, Mick lost the battle and passed away peacefully at home with his family around him. He was removed from his home on Friday, April 24, to the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Bunclody. With Covid-19 restrictions in place, many of his neighbours, colleagues and friends lined the streets to pay their respects as the funeral cortege passed through the town and onto Bunclody cemetery where Mick was laid to rest.
A celebration of Mick Fitzgerald’s life will be held at a later stage.