The Late Jerry O’Sullivan, Ballybunion and Killarney

THE sudden passing of Jerry O’Sullivan came as a great shock to many. Jerry died in hospital in Dublin having battled in the ICU for eight weeks. He is sadly missed by his daughter, Lorna; dad, Jim; brother, Thomas; nephew, James; and deceased mom, Joan; grandmother, Noreen; his uncles, Patrick and John; his aunts Mary, Elizabeth, Helen, Nora; and his aunts, Margaret and Moira.

Jerry had many cousins and enjoyed a lively relationship with each: David, Stephen and Amanda O’Sullivan; Tracey, Emer and Gavin Sheehan; Liam and Ciara Armstrong; Tara O’Shea; and Podge, Sarah, Rebecca and Dylan Barry.

Sadly missed by Catherine, whom he enjoyed many a phone call with; Mary, Lorna’s mother, Marion; Eddie and Pat; his adopted aunt, Julie; his godson, Evan; his nanny King and granddad Bob, deceased, and his housemates Kalman and Garry. Jerry was a powerhouse of energy and fun, and Kerry and Dublin will be a lot quieter without him. He was the life and soul of every family and work gathering; he had a sharp wit but a kind heart and enjoyed a special place in the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Jerry grew up in Killarney but spent his school holidays with his extended family in Tullamore, Ballybunion, and it was always his home base.

Jerry was welcomed every holiday by his grandparents, Bob and Noreen, and being the first grandchild enjoyed a special place in the house. He was part of the family and he never forgot that. He visited every chance he could, offering gifts and advice to his nanny Sullivan: “You are eating too much processed food and fat”, he told his 93-year-old Nan last Christmas and produced an air fryer so she would eat less fat from her sausages. The irony of a 93-year-old who had survived a lot more than fatty sausages was lost on him.

Jerry arrived in Ballybunion to share with his ‘aunties’. Even though the youngest was only seven years older than him, they remained his beloved ‘aunties’ all his life. He was bossed about and endured many, many dramas. He not only survived but held his own. When asked “was it not awful having to live with us?” by his aunt only last year his response was “it was like coming to heaven”.

Jerry’s aunties were the safe place he could always go to and the people he told everything to.

The thing in life Jerry was most proud of was his beautiful daughter, Lorna. A great football player with Sarsfield Mountmellick and a college student, he spoke with great pride about her often.

Jerry was a perfectionist, a clean freak, and loved a good, clean car. His was the only car traded in to a Killarney garage that didn’t need a valet. During the storm that lifted the roof off the Golf hotel, Jerry was to be found polishing his car.

He trained as a chef after leaving school and made head chef in a main hotel in Killarney at the tender age of 22. He worked as a chef for many years in as far away places as the UK, USA and the Caribbean.

He set up Caterassist in 2001 and enjoyed huge success during the boom years. His knowledge of the hotel sector personnel was second to none. He was the best at what he did, and many clients would only deal with “Jerry from Kerry”.

After the downturn he worked in the UK and recently for Noel recruitment as business manager for Ireland. He set up Astoria partnership in May of this year.

Thanks to everyone for coming to the funeral, friends and clients from all over the country; Patrick Eviston and family were always so good to Jerry; and many others who we may not have known very well but who meant a lot to Jerry.

Thank you.

The Late Jerry O’Sullivan