Family of Limerick sportsman raise over €10,000 for charity that helped 'bring Dad home'
The O’Grady family presented the cheque to Colin and Eithne Bell of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust
THE FAMILY of former Bohemian RFC captain John O’Grady, who died suddenly while in Portugal last year, have raised €10,205 for the charity that helped bring him home.
John was 72 when he died suddenly last October while on a golf trip with friends from Mallow Golf Club.
Fit and healthy, John’s death came as a “devastating shock” to his family and friends.
John was a successful businessman, starting his career in Howmedica, now Stryker, in Raheen, and working across a range of multinational companies, such as Abbott and Alps Electric Ireland.
He was also an accomplished sportsman with deep connections to Limerick sport. John played for Bohemians RFC, now UL Bohs RFC, during the 1970s and 1980s and also served as captain of Bohs.
He was actively involved with Fairview rangers AFC, the Limerick District interpub competition and remained a keen golfer and an active member of Mallow Golf Club.
To those who knew and loved him, however, John was first and foremost a “wonderful” husband, father and brother and a “kind, generous and much-loved friend”.
In the immediate aftermath of John’s death, his family faced the heart-breaking and unfamiliar task of bringing him home from Portugal.
“When the bottom fell out of our world last October, the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust guided my family and I through the repatriation process with incredible sensitivity and compassion,” John’s daughter, Gillian McGrath, explained.
“At a time when we were at our most vulnerable, they made sure we were able to bring Dad home. We will never forget what they did for us.”
The family decided to honour John’s memory by raising funds for the trust so that it can continue supporting other bereaved families facing the sudden death of a loved one abroad.
A memorial golf event at Adare Manor Golf Club brought together John’s family, friends and supporters and raised €10,205 for the charity.
The O’Grady family thanked “everyone who played in the event, donated, provided sponsorship or helped to organise and promote the fundraiser”.
They presented the proceeds to Colin and Eithne Bell of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust at O’Driscoll’s Bar in Corbally on Saturday, September 12.
“We wanted to celebrate Dad’s life while giving something back to the organisation that was there for us when we desperately needed help,” Gillian said.
“We hope the money raised will help another family facing the same trauma to receive the care and support that we did.”