Warm tributes paid to 'a great Mayo teacher' on his passing

THE death has taken place of Gerard (Ger) McNally, The Fairways, Westport.

He is sadly missed by his loving wife Rita, children Adam, Caoimhe, Grace and Niamh, parents Johnny and Carmel, mother-in-law Mary (Carney), brothers Declan and Ciarain, all his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephew Sean, aunts, uncles, relatives and his many friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.

A member of the teaching staff of Our Lady's Secondary School, Belmullet, the deceased was held in very high regard.

A tribute to him by the school stated: “It is with profound sadness that we remember Gerard McNally, our dear colleague and friend in Our Lady’s Secondary School, who has passed away. 

“As a whole school community we extend our sincere sympathies to his wife Rita and their four children, Adam, Caoimhe, Grace and Niamh, to his parents, siblings and his extended family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.

“Gerard began teaching music and religion in Our Lady’s in September 1999. Through his talents, his unwavering dedication to hard work and his innate ability to inspire others, he has touched the lives of all of our school community.

“He introduced music as a Leaving Cert subject and developed a thriving music department that continues today as one of the proudest aspects of our school.

“He was also responsible for introducing the first Transition Year school musical, ‘Grease’ in 2004, and was the main producer of many great school productions since then. For the students who were involved over the years, those experiences live on as very fond memories.

“Gerard’s innate ability to connect with his students and his genuine commitment to their welfare are just some of the traits that will ensure that Gerard is remembered in the Erris community as 'a great teacher', whom the students were very fortunate to encounter.

“It was with great dignity, fortitude and the support of his family that Gerard has faced his illness over the past few years and he always retained the ambition to return to teaching.

“Sadly, we now know that this day will not return, but Gerard, Rita and his children can rest assured that his huge contribution to Our Lady’s school community will always be greatly appreciated by every person who was lucky enough to be a colleague, a friend or a student.

“Gerard’s time on earth may have been short, but his influence and his legacy will continue for generations.”

A lovely tribute has also been paid to him by Westport United FC, with whom he played for a number of years.

The tribute, by Kenny Gannon, stated: “It was with deep regret that Westport United learned of the passing of a former player and Connaught Under-15 Cup winner, Gerard McNally.

“Gerard comes from an extended family that's steeped in the traditions of Westport United right throughout its history with his father, Johnny and grandfather, Michael Block, both donning the Red and Black with distinction and his great uncle, James played in its early days, famously scoring against Irvinestown Wanderers back in 1912 and another great uncle, Joe Bellum being another star for the club back in the 1920's and 1930's, while his daughter, Grace was part of the Girls Under-19 team last season.

“Gerard played for the club at underage level in goal with Michael Rabbett and the late Ollie Gannon as his coaches and performed to distinction with his cat like reflexes and quickness off the line made him a formidable opponent to any striker.

“He won many awards as an underage footballer and his biggest achievement came in 1989 when the Westport United team won the Connaught Under-15 Cup, defeating Salthill Devon in the final.

“Gerard had some fine team mates like Martin Coughlan, Ray McLoughlin, Charlie O'Donnell, Matthew Keegan, Sean Walsh and Ian Coffey but to name a few as the side displayed great talent.

“Later on, Gerard took a different path away from football and became an accomplished musician and a secondary school teacher, teaching music and religion at Our Lady Secondary School in Belmullet.

“Gerard also stood in as an organist at St. Mary's Church, Westport, where he played with such a soothing melody that it added greatly to the Liturgy.

“Gerard was a family man who always wanted the best for his family and his children turned out to be role models within the community and Gerard would certainly be a very proud man over the exemplary conduct shown by his kids in the local community.

"Gerard's positivity shown through in his musicc in particular and his musical skills added to the atmosphere at every venue at which he performed. Just two years ago, he launched his own CD entitled 'Hiatus'.

"He still taught and made many of his pupils in Belmullet richer in their musical talents, and it was that strength of character to give everyone the best chance in education inspite of his illness that will be remembered in the Erris barony.

“His musical and teaching talents will be missed but his compositions will be eternally appreciated by all who knew his gifted talents.

“As a footballing community we extend our sincere sympathies to his wife Rita and their four children, Adam, Caoimhe, Grace and Niamh, to his parents Johnny and Carmel, brothers Declan and Ciarán and his extended family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.”

As per HSE guidelines at this time, Gerard's funeral will be private.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.