Prominent Limerick businessman remembered as 'larger than life' with a 'heart of gold'

TRIBUTES are being paid to well-known Limerick businessman, George Stacpoole, (88) who has been remembered as a "larger than life character", full of humour and fun, following his death last Saturday. 

He opened his first antiques shop on Cecil St in Limerick city in 1964 and later moved to Adare. Early clients at his shop included John and Gertrude Hunt, Sybil Connolly, Jackie Kennedy during her 1967 visit to Ireland, Edna O’Brien and Catherine Deneuve. George was also a life-long member of Thomond Archaeological and Historical Society, having joined in 1965.

Paying tribute to the late businessman, Cllr Bridie Collins said George had a heart of gold and was committed to enhancing Adare village. "He was dedicated to the village and to the betterment of the village, and that is something that he's instilled in me, and I hope to carry that mantle on in his memory." Bridie added that George was a very well respected man within the antiques business. 

Speaking to Limerick Live, she described George as a "very approachable, kind man" and explained that she had known him since moving to Adare almost 40 years ago. "I'll miss him terribly as a sounding board and as a friend I will miss him. I feel like I've lost a grandparent."

"He ran his antique shop on the main street of Adare for a number of decades and he was very dedicated to the village. I got to know George through the Adare Tidy Towns," said Cllr Collins. George was a former chair of Adare Tidy Towns and Cllr Collins revealed that he encouraged her to join the association which she now chairs. 

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"The whole spirit of the village and Tidy Towns is very much at the core of what George did. He was very much proud of Adare's history with the competition and the value that it brought to the village."

Cllr Collins said George had been with his wife Michelina for over 50 years. "As a couple, they were just so funny and nice and we've had some really good times. I called into them a couple of times there while I was canvassing, and it was just always a very joyous occasion."

Cllr Collins remarked that the news of George's passing broke yesterday at the village's Garden Fete event. "It was poignant in a way that we had a community event yesterday where the whole community and others came out within the village. 

"It was a complete embodiment of what George stood for," stated Cllr Collins. "It was just a real sort of symbol of what George always stood for."

Antiques and Arts Ireland also paid tribute to George, saying his passing "has occasioned deep regret throughout the antique trade in Ireland.

"George was a founder member of the Irish Antique Dealers Association and its former longstanding President. He was a tireless promoter of art, books and antiques, of which he had a deep knowledge which he was always glad to share."

RTÉ researcher Liz O'Brien noted on rip.ie that George was a gentleman. "Always so polite, knowledgeable and full of humour and fun. He was a wonderful guest to work with on the Today show in Cork. We will miss him."

Deeply regretted by his loving wife Michelina, his sons Hassard and Sebastian, daughter-in-law Freya and Sebastian's partner Helen and her daughter Evelyne, grandchildren Dante and Iseult, his brother Pat and sister-in-law Sue, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins and friends.

Funeral Service will take place at St Nicholas Church of Ireland, Adare, on Saturday, May 17 at 10am.

Burial and house private.

No Flowers please, donations if desired to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.