The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
HOSPICE REELING FROM LOSS OF GREAT CHAMPION
TED Moynihan was born in Blennerville and was employed at the Tralee Boot Factory for nine years before the factory was gutted by fire in 1959.
He subsequently took up employment during the construction of the Castelrosse Hotel in Killarney and also worked as a bus conductor with CIE from 1960 to 1963. He later worked as a driver for Kerry Petroleum servicing the South Kerry route.
From 1982 to 1987 he worked with Jason Products in Tralee and was employed with the US textile company, Klopman, from 1987 to 1997. He is described as being a dedicated and ‘loyal member of the FCA for more than 43 years’ reaching the rank of Sergeant Major. He married Breda Foley from Marian Park in 1964 and they had two sons.
Ted was diagnosed with cancer in 1983 and again in 2015 during which time he developed the motivation to create the Kerry Hospice Foundation having realised the need for a hospice in his own county. He also coordinated the establishment of more than 20 branches of the Kerry Hospice Foundation - 18 of which are still in existence today.
In 1990, at a conference in Ballymullen Army Barracks, Ted announced that the 15th Battalion of the FCA was to undertake a 150 mile sponsored walk - that included the Ring of Kerry - with the proceeds going to Baile Mhuire Tralee and the Kerry Cancer Support Group. This prompted Ted to establish a Hospice movement in Kerry, along with Dr Tom McCormack at Tralee General Hospital.
As well as his proud Kerry Person of the Year Award in 2017, Ted was also bestowed the 2010 All-Ireland Volunteer Award, a Civic Reception from Tralee Town Council, and was Grand Marshall of the Tralee St Patrick’s Day Parade in 2011. He was also accorded a civic reception from the members of the Tralee Municipal District on May 9, 2016.
Ted is survived by his wife Breda, sons Teddy, Simon and his four grandchildren whom he adored, Chloe, Jade, Simon and Bláthnaid.
Ted was actively involved in the Tralee Footwear and FCA in his younger days and played basketball in the 1950s, and football with the Kerins O’Rahilly’s GAA Club. He was a member of Tralee Light Opera Society in the late 1950s and was stage manager for ‘Showboat’ which starred the late Jack Cruise.
Ever devoted to community, Ted was the Chairman of Marian Park Residents Association in late 1960s and also chairman of Marian Park Community Games. In the 1970s he was involved with Pro Celtic Basketball Club and served as secretary of the Kerry County Basketball Board and President of the Munster Basketball Board from 1978 to 1979. Ted was a founding member of Tralee Bay Sea Angling Club.