One of the top surgeons in Ireland was ‘some man for one man’

THE LATE John Drumm, retired consultant surgeon, had a phrase he used to say about great people, "Some man for one man”.

Mr Drumm’s son, John Jr, told the packed congregation at his father’s funeral Mass this Wednesday, “I remember him wistfully saying it when his own dad died”. 

“Well, Dad, I never doubted it and all of these people here and the legion who stood for hours in the rain yesterday all agree, you were certainly that, some man for one man,” said John Jnr, at the end of his eulogy. He gently placed a hand on his dad’s eco-friendly-made coffin as he took his seat and embraced family members.

Mr Drumm was born in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim but Ballyclough on the outskirts of Limerick city would become home. His impact on healthcare in Limerick and the lives of the thousands of patients he transformed has been reflected in the countless tributes in recent days.

Mr Drumm battled motor neurone disease with a quiet dignity and an indomitable spirit. He was taken on Sunday from his loving wife Eimer, children John Jr, Darina and Órla, beloved grandchildren, Nikki, Dara, Daniel, Eimer Jr and Jamie; his brothers and sisters Mary, Brendan, Teresa, Fr Michael and Fr Eugene, extended family and his extraordinarily wide circle of friends and colleagues.

John Jr told the funeral Mass in St Nessan's Church, Raheen that when they lived in Dublin, his dad was the main kidney transplant surgeon in the country.

“At the very same time he was doing this job he forged a very strong camaraderie with the local kids in our estate.  I can vividly remember answering the door to a couple of over excited six-years-olds who asked, and I quote, ‘Is your dad coming out to play?’. I said, ‘No, he’s still at work doing kidney transplants’. That was dad to the core and his total enthusiasm for life,” said John Jr.

He spoke of Mr Drumm’s passion for healthcare in Limerick. 

“He wanted the absolute best for his patients and he believed adamantly they deserved it. He shared this belief with his great friends JP and Noreen (McManus). They all had a total refusal to accept second best for Limerick.

"Assisted by their generosity and the Hospitals Development Trust he helped achieve many great things for healthcare in Limerick. He was particularly proud of the radiotherapy unit and how effective it was at delivering care to patients in need,” said John Jr.

When Mr Drumm had a surgical day unit in the Regional Hospital, as it was known, he would have 10 beds for the 40 patients he would see in a day. Occasionally these beds would be taken for A&E care so one day he acquired padlocks from the co-op shop nearby and chained the beds to the radiators!

Sadly, his wife Eimer’s brother, Brian McGauran, passed away last week. When John Jr told his dad the news, Mr Drumm replied, “It is so sad, Johnny, if I was well I could have helped him”. 

“That was the measure of dad. He was built to help other people,” said John Jr, who spoke of his father’s love of travel and was at his happiest when it combined with sporting trips like the Olympics, Ryder Cup, Cheltenham and many rugby matches.

“The sweetest trips were to watch Órla running. He was incredibly proud of all Órla achieved on the track. We all were. This culminated with her competing in the European Championships in Helsinki, with my mum and dad in the stands. I can still hear him shouting ‘Come on O', perfectly in my mind,” said John Jr.

Órla also spoke at the funeral Mass and thanked the many who helped and cared for her father since he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. The last person she thanked was her mum.

“She was my dad’s whole world since he met her. She kept the show on the road and dad’s show on the road for the last 50 years. On behalf of myself, Johnny and Darina, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Órla, to warm applause.

The Mass was celebrated by Mr Drumm’s brother, Fr Michael Drumm, and concelebrated by another brother, Fr Eugene Drumm, with Canon John O’Shea, Fr Richie Davern, Canon Donal McNamara, Fr Tom Mangan, Fr Tom Ryan and Fr John Carroll.

Fr Michael said it is obviously a very sad occasion in one sense but also a day full of memories, appreciation and thanksgiving. 

“We come to honour a man who has made a tremendous contribution to Limerick - a truly dedicated medical professional," said Fr Michael.

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Brendan Drumm, another brother and former HSE chief executive, recited the Physician’s Prayer and welcomed the gifts to the altar which included a scalpel and a rugby ball. Mr Drumm loved the game and brought the first rugby ball to Manorhamilton.

Brendan said his brother's incredible skill as a surgeon was more than matched by his compassion for his patients' care outside of the theatre. 

Fr Davern, in his homily, said his friendship with Mr Drumm was one of the most beautiful he has ever been blessed to experience in life.

“He had a deep faith and embraced mystery as part of life. Could there be any more cruel mystery for someone to internalise than having given your intellect and your life’s work to fix broken bodies that he himself was struck with one of the most merciless illnesses in the medical world. He never asked why,” said Fr Davern, who was inspired by Charlie Bird climbing Croagh Patrick, to climb Knockfierna with Mr Drumm. He and many supporters reached the summit and raised almost €50,000 for charity.

Fr Davern concluded his homily with a poem by Maya Angelou called When Great Trees Fall. Its last two lines are - ‘We can be. Be and be better. For they existed’.

“John, we will be and be better because you existed. John, my dear, dear friend, rest now in peace - you have so richly earned and deserve.”