“Joe was more than a school caretaker – he was our friend”

By Maurice Garvey

STUDENTS and staff at a Ballyfermot school are in mourning after the loss of their caretaker and “friend” Joe Moore on April 18.

Mr Moore was caretaker at St Dominic’s for over 20 years and loved his job, often carrying out tasks for the school on his days off.

“Joe was first into the school in the mornings and last to leave in the evenings,” said Mary Daly, St Dominic’s Principal.

“His dedication to the school community was unparalleled. A keen fisherman, he would often give up his valuable fishing time on weekends and holidays to serve the school he loved. Joe had a huge heart and he took care of the needs of both the staff and the students of the school as well as his stray cats.

Ms Daly continued: “Joe was well known within the area of Ballyfermot often dressing up as Santa for the primary school children. He could be seen cycling around on his bike with his trademark beard and smile on his face. He will be sorely missed by his family and all the members of the school community.”

Originally from Cabra, Joe moved to London where he met his wife and raised two children Gary and Karen.

Joe worked for the London Underground before moving to Ballyfermot to take up the position of caretaker in the mid 1990s and settling on Le Fanu Road.

At the Assumption Church on Saturday, students and staff formed a guard of honour for Joe at a funeral service.

Keith O’Brien, teacher in St Dominic’s said: “Joe will be missed by all of the staff. He had a way of doing things that you couldn’t help but love. No matter what you needed Joe would get it for you. He was more then just a caretaker to us, he was our friend.”

Fifth Year student Tia Kinsella said she would miss how “funny and jolly” he was “always around and how he would fly around on his mower cutting the grass.”

“He was the best caretaker you could have and the school will not be the same without him,” said Tia.