Tributes paid to popular council worker Andy Califf

Warm tributes were paid to Louth County Council employee Andy Califf whose sudden death on Monday March 27 was described as ‘quite shocking to all of us’ by chairman Cllr Paul Bell at the local authority’s monthly meeting.

The chairman led the condolence’s to Andy’s brother Gerry, who is also a council employee, and family, saying that ‘news of Andy’s death was quite devastating’ for all who knew him.

He recalled Andy as being a ‘very, very conscientious employee, an obliging and engagin person, a huge character’ and he knew his colleagues had suffered greatly because of what happened.

He hoped that Gerry and all Andy’s family members and staff would come to terms with his passing.’

Cllr Tomas Sharkey offered his condolences on behalf of the Sinn Fein group of councillors, recalling that Andy had been Deputy Imelda Munster’s ‘personal bouncer’ when she was on the Council. ‘He took it all in good humour and enjoyed his work, loved engaging with people’. He knew that a lot of people in Dundalk had done the Patsy Kelly 5km, 10kms, half and full marathons because of Andy.

Staff members who had worked with Andy every day had been affected by his death and he praised the support given to them and also to the Califf family.

Cllr Liam Reilly offered his condolences on behalf of the Fianna Fail group, saying everyone was shocked and saddened with the word of Andy’s death. ‘He was a remarkable individual, and always had a smile on his face.’ He still struggled to understand the complexities of mental health issues and Andy’s death was very shock to all those who knew him.

Chief Executive Joan Martin joined the tributes, thanking the members for their support.