‘I will miss everyone’
By Mary Dennehy
THIS month 35 years ago Cheeverstown opened its doors in Templeogue, with Tallaght resident Philip Coventry employed five months later as one of the organisation’s first mini-bus drivers.
Living in Springfield, Philip, who has three children, 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild, spent the last 35 years on the road for Cheeverstown – providing support, care and friendship to service users and their families.
Jimmy, Philip, Paul and Noel
Last Friday, the impact Philip has had on the staff, families and friends of Cheeverstown was evident, when a retirement celebration was held in the Templeogue-based premises.
Over the years, Philip brought people to and from Cheevertown daily, to GP and hospital appointments and also drove on outings and holidays.
“I will miss everybody big time”, Philip said.
“[Everyone at Cheeverstown] has been like a second family to me.
“I also got to know all of the people using the services and their families, and I was a friend to families.
Kathleen Coventry, Imelda Callery and Philip Coventry
“The service provided by Cheeverstown is absolutely brilliant . . . and not just for people using the services but for families too.”
Tim Ryan, Operational Manager with Cheeverstown, has been working with the voluntary organisation since September 1984, two months after it opened.
Speaking about the impact Philip had over the past decades, Tim said: “Philip was one of the first drivers . . . and Cheeverstown as an organisation is all the better to have had him working here.
“He encapsulates the ethos of helping others . . . and is a remarkable, softly spoken man.
Paul Pitts, Philip Coventry, Marie Byrne and Joe O’Callaghan
“He got things done, but never raised his voice.”
He added: “Not alone was Philip 35 years here [at Cheeverstown], but it’s what he did for everyone outside of work too.”
Alongside the planned speeches on the day of Philip’s retirement party, Tim said that 10 people who use the services also contributed and spoke of how fond they are of Philip and the difference he made to their lives.
“This really shows the mark of the man”, Tim said.
Cheeverstown currently provides a full spectrum of services to 400 people both at its base in Templeogue and within the community.
For further details visit www.cheeverstown.ie.
