Writer at the heart of community life
FRANK (Tommy Frank) O’Connor of Cloonanorig, Tralee, passed away on October 19th 2016 in University Hospital Kerry, preceded in death by his Father Tommy (February 1975) and his Mother Ellen (August 2016).
Frank was born in Ranaleen, Currow, the eldest of 10 children. On completion of his primary school education Frank was awarded a scholarship to attend St. Brendan’s Seminary, Killarney. His avid sportsmanship, especially in athletics, led to winning many medals in both track and field events.
In 1962 Frank sat his Leaving Certificate and then followed his vocation to study for the priesthood. His first year of study was at All Hallows College and subsequently St. Patrick’s College, Thurles. Even though Frank found the course engaging, in 1965 he began to question whether or not he was suitable for the priesthood. He spent many sleepless nights and heart wrenching days making his final decision. In his own words, leaving was the most painful decision he ever had to make.
Frank worked briefly in Dublin before heading to London to study accountancy. In between a busy schedule of work and study, Frank renewed his interest in athletics and found enough time also to socialise. In the very same city, at the very same time, Sheila Spelman was studying nursing. Frank and Sheila met and thus began their story. They married in London and moved back to Ireland in 1968 where Frank commenced work as an accountant in the Mount Brandon Hotel. He worked next in Jowika, Listowel, before setting up his own very successful private accountancy practice in Tralee. Frank was most approachable, dependable and confidentiality was paramount to him.
One of the many ways Frank maintained his involvement in sports was by playing rugby with the local club in Tralee. It was a horrific injury he sustained during a game that ended his rugby days. As part of his rehabilitation programme, he was advised to consider weightlifting, which he took up so successfully that he eventually represented Ireland at home and abroad,and won gold in the heavyweight division in the Celtic Nations held in Scotland in 1979.
Frank was a very civic minded person and made many significant contributions to the community through schools, the Church and his major creative input in our culture, in prose, poetry and dramatic arts.
In 1970 he produced an industrial memorandum on Tralee which was circulated worldwide to industrialists interested in coming to the town. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce debating team that reached the national final in 1971. He took office as President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1972. For many years Frank served on the Parents’ Councils of Moyderwell Secondary School, Listellick Primary School and in the 1980s the National Parents’ Council for Secondary Schools.
Later in life, Frank resumed his passion for writing and his work was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 as well as on RTE and Radio Kerry. He was appointed Writer in Residence for Kerry in 2007 and 2008 and he also delighted in conducting creative writing workshops in his capacity as Writer in Prisons and Writer in Schools.
Frank was always extremely supportive of his students to which their tributes attest. Always advising, never criticising, Frank was inspirational to many budding writers. He was Clann File for the O’Connor Clann in Kerry. His prizes for writing include: The Francis McManus, The Kerry International Summer School, The Jonathan Swift, The Cecil Day Lewis, Crann 2003, Tavistock and Athlone, and he was shortlisted for many others including The Hennessy, Sunday Tribune Literary Awards and The Scottish International Poetry Competition.
His cancer diagnosis in December 1999 created shockwaves for Frank and his family. From this time until his death, he was never cancer-free, yet he retained an extremely positive outlook, referring to his cancer as a “toxic tourist” in his body. His attitude from the outset was “whatever it takes”. He underwent many treatments including surgery, radiotherapy and various hormone treatments. When Frank learned his next treatment would be chemotherapy, he felt very grateful and lucky that this was there and available to him.
Initially Frank attended Palliative Care at KUH as a volunteer in his capacity as a creative writer. With his guidance and encouragement, patients expressed their thoughts and feelings on paper about their journey through various illnesses. Some years later, as a patient himself, Frank treasured the days he spent in palliative care, looking forward to every visit. He availed of their many services from doctor’s consultations, to physiotherapy, to tea and scones and the all-important chat. Recovery Haven was also of immense benefit. From the many services available to him, he thoroughly enjoyed his art therapy and created some fabulous pieces. In setting up the men’s cancer support group, Saoirse, that meet there once a fortnight, Frank found much solace and made many close and supportive friends.
Frank’s devotion to the Church never wavered. He served as a Eucharistic minister, cantor, reader and chorister in his own parish and beyond. He was also a member of the Liturgical Committee in Kerry. He recited the Rosary during the Corpus Christi Procession from St. Brendan’s Church for many years. He narrated in the Good Friday Easter Ceremonies in many Parishes, one of which was broadcast on RTE in 2011. In challenging times, Frank always found re-assurance in his Christianity.
Frank was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. He and his wife Sheila have five children: Patricia, Paul, Mark, Gary and Gráinne. He will be sadly missed by his family, relatives, friends, students and the wider community which he served well.
He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith. Rest in peace, Frank.