Mart and GAA stalwart Pat McHugh fondly remembered
Tributes were paid Former manager of Fermoy and Corrin Marts, Pat McHugh, at Corrin Mart on Tuesday after he sadly passed away on April 4.
On the main sale day, a candle was lit in Pat’s memory as those in attendance paid tribute to Pat and took a moments silence in the sale ring, a tribute which Cork Co-Operate Marts CEO Seán O’Sullivan described as ‘ richly deserved’.
Pat was well known across the area and was a stalwart figure at the Mart having begun his career in March of 1966, not retiring until December 2011.
“He saw huge changes during his career. Pat started off involved in the export of Cattle to England which was common at the time and in 1971 he took over as manager at Fermoy Mart,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
In December 2011, Pat was acknowledged as the longest-serving Mart manager in Europe, after giving 46 years of his life to the business, having taken up the position while Marts were still in their infancy.
Colleagues of Pat’s spoke to TheAvondhu this week, recalling Pat’s contribution to Fermoy and Corrin Marts.
Corrin Mart Manager, Sean Leahy, explained that Pat played an integral role in the changeover from Fermoy to Corrin Mart in 2008.
“Pat was there for the transition between the Fermoy mart and the Mart in Corrin. During the closing of the old site and moving to the new site, Pat was integral in the planning, building and development of the new site and played a major role in moving over seamlessly.
“He would have put a massive amount of work into that and he played an integral part in it,” Mr Leahy said.
CEO Seán O’Sullivan also acknowledged this change and the key role in planning and development that Pat played when moving the Mart to Corrin.
“He was very involved in the planning and development of the Mart at Corrin and managed the transition in less than a week without losing a single sale day which is quite an achievement,” Mr O’Sullivan added.
General Manager of CCM Property, Eamonn O’Brien began working with Pat some 17 years ago when Eamonn started with CCM Property.
“I found him very friendly and cooperative and he was an excellent colleague to have and a very good friend. From my perspective, when starting out new at the property office, I couldn’t have asked for a better colleague.
“He had a great way with the public and had a very calming effect which is a great way to be when you’re working in a mart. A Mart is a very busy place between livestock, customers, and staff and that calming effect he had was very important. He was very well-liked and very professional in running the Mart in Fermoy. He was very well respected,” Mr O’Brien said.
According to CEO Seán O’Sullivan, Pat was highly thought of among those in the livestock industry.
“Pat was known far and wide among buyers and sellers across Munster. Fermoy is a very busy Mart so he would have known and met a lot of people. He was highly thought of and he had a great way about him. We were all very saddened to hear of his passing. Our thoughts are with his family,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
Mart Manager Sean Leahy concurred with this sentiment, stating: “He was the manager, he would have known everyone and everything that was going on. Anyone doing any business with the mart would have known him. He was known nationwide throughout the livestock industry.
“He was a very experienced man and had a great amount of knowledge. Anything you’d ever ask him, he would always give an opinion and direct you the right way,” Mr Leahy added.
Upon the news of his passing, tributes to Pat poured in, with many from near and far extending their condolences to Pat’s family and friends.
Watergrasshill GAA Club were amongst those to share condolences with the McHugh family as they recalled Pat’s role in the GAA.
“Pat McHugh was a GAA man through and through and as well as an illustrious playing career with both Glenville and Watergrasshill, Pat also gave his time tirelessly as a coach, volunteer and officer for both Watergrasshill and Glenville for many years.
“The McHugh family are steeped in the GAA history of our parish, a history which is continued by his sons Jerry and Padraig to this day,” a spokesperson for the club said.
Those at CCM Property and Cork Marts extended their condolences also, as General Manager at CCM Property, Eamonn O’Brien noted that anyone he has spoken to since Pat’s passing have recalled Pat’s integrity and professionalism, but most of all the advice and friendship he offered.
“Pat will always be a part of Corrin and Fermoy Mart and people will always hold him dear for how he conducted his business but also for his friendship and his manner.
“He is missed by no one more so than his family and we hope that they find comfort and solace in the tributes and memories that are shared of Pat. It’s a very sad time for his family but it is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on Pat’s life and the contribution he made to the lives of others,” Mr O’Brien added.
Pat was the dearly beloved husband of Joan (née Fitzgerald), muchloved father of Padraig, Jerry and Liz (Spillane), and dear brother of Kathleen, Maurice, Batty and the late Maureen.