RAMS founder Michael was pillar of community

TRIBUTES are being paid to one of the founding members of the Retired Active Men’s Social (RAMS) and active member of Newcastle Community, Michael Maher, following his passing.

Michael passed away suddenly on December 13 and will be deeply missed and remembered by his wife Margaret, children Ronan, Fiona and Elaine and all his friends and colleagues in Newcastle and in the wider community.

A proud Tipperary man, Michael later moved to Wexford where he served as President of Wexford Chamber of Industry & Commerce and President of Junior Chamber Wexford before moving to Newcastle with his family in 1986.

Determined to promote engagement and involvement within the community, Michael served as Chairperson of the Newcastle Lyons Development Trust, which looks after St Finian’s Community Centre in the village up until his passing.

Michael retired as National Vice President of Active Retirement Ireland in December 2020 after holding the position from 2017-2019 and being on the board for five years.

When Michael retired from his role as National Vice President of Active Retirement Ireland, he received a letter of appreciation for his work and contribution from President Michael D. Higgins.

A book of condolence for Michael was opened by Mayor of South Dublin County Council Peter Kavanagh, who remembered him fondly as “a pillar of his community” in a post he shared online.

“Michael was a founder member of the RAMS Active Retirement Association in Newcastle and an instrumental part of South Dublin County Council’s first Age-Friendly Strategy,” he said.

“He was a pillar of his community and represented our county at a national level through his volunteer work with Active Retirement Ireland, with whom he served as a regional chairperson, board member and national vice-president.”

As part of his position with Active Retirement Ireland, Michael became involved with local group the Retired Active Men’s Social (RAMS) who are very active alongside the Newcastle Ladies Group in the community with weekly activities including darts, pool, card playing and socialising as well as the ‘RAMS in Rhythm’ a singing group who entertain patients in local hospitals, residents in nursing homes and entertaining at charity events.

Remembering Michael, Clondalkin councillor Francis Timmons said: “Two years ago Michael Maher was at my election launch. He was always a great support to me, and he was a kind man, and I will always be grateful for his support.

“He gave so much of himself to others as Chair of the community centre in Newcastle, the ReNewcastle Community Group, singer in the RAMS, Newcastle Tidy Towns and his many years in Active Retirement Ireland. He was a huge asset to his community – rest in peace my friend.”

Speaking to The Echo, Chairperson of the ReNewcastle Group and Neighbour, Ollie McNally, described Michael as “a great family man” and a “community man”.

“He was a community man through and through”, said Ollie. “The things he did for the community are immeasurable. He was just involved in everything, he was fantastic, and he is going to be sorely missed in the village.

“He was extremely helpful and he was always my go to man if there was ever an issue or a problem and I know that he was that person for many people.”