MITCHELSTOWN SADDENED AT DEATH OF DICK FITZGERALD
The death has occurred this week of Dick Fitzgerald former Fine Gael county councillor and chairman of Cork County Council. Described as a ‘true gentleman’ the death of Mr Fitzgerald has saddened the people of Mitchelstown.
“Dick was a great man, he was always very helpful and was loved by all who knew him. It is ironic that his death should come only a week after that of his former fellow councillor and TD Carey Joyce.”
“Dick will be sadly missed and I would like to send my condolences to his family at this time,” former councillor Liam O’Doherty told The Avondhu.
Senator Paul Bradford fondly remembers Mr Fitzgerald for all the help and advice he gave him when he first entered politics.
“When I was first elected Dick was there and he was like a father figure. I remember his shop in Mitchelstown was a great place for the people of the community to come and get help and advice from Dick; he was always in good form and had no enemies on any political side of the fence. I deeply regret his passing and I doubt we will see his like again,” Senator Bradford said.
Mr Fitzgerald was first elected to Cork County Council in the election of 1967 and served the people of Mitchelstown until he retired in 1991. As well as serving for a term as chairman of the county council in 1980 Mr Fitzgerald was also chairman of the Southern Health Board.
“Dick Fitzgerald will be missed, he was a genuine public representative and always concerned about the people of his community,” David Stanton TD said.
There were other tributes to Mr Fitzgerald from friends and neighbours.
Local author and historian, Bill Power, paid this tribute: “I knew Dick as a reporter in the 1980s and 1990s. He was one of the Old Guard who made more sense than most, and practiced common-sense politics rather than the variety designed to get the popular vote. And although he never headed the poll (in fact, he was usually one of the last to be elected) he has the unique distinction of being the only Mitchelstown man ever to become chairman of Cork County Council.
“From the many conversations that we had together over the years, I always knew that he had become involved in politics because he wanted to do good for Mitchelstown and the people of the locality. He was a straight talker nor was he ever given over to hyperbole.
"I always knew him to be the kind of politician who never tried to score cheap political points against his opponents, and because of this he had many genuine friends across the political divide, not least of whom were the late Deputy John W. Moher and former councillor Jerry Sheedy, both of Fianna Fail.
“When I think of Dick Fitzgerald, I remember the kind of honourable and honest man that he was, and of how his decency is so sadly lacking in politics today. He made more sense that most. His was a quiet greatness derived from experience, wisdom and generosity of spirit. I would like, also, to express my heartfelt sympathy to his children and grandchildren. Their loss is greatest of all,” Bill Power said.
Published:
Thursday 4th November 5:18pm
