Nicholas Fewer:NICHOLAS (NICKY) Fewer, who has died aged 60, was a Waterford-based architect and businessman who played a remarkable role in the life of the city and the wider southeast region.
Indeed, he was so passionate about Waterford and so committed to its economic future that up to days before his death after a lengthy battle with cancer, he had been a leading figure in a local not-for-profit consortium hoping to continue production of Waterford Crystal there. Having championed the campaign to retain the city’s flagship industry, he indicated he was stepping down as his health deteriorated.
As Waterford’s mayor, Cllr Jack Walsh, put it succinctly: “At a time when he’d have been more than entitled to well-earned rest, he continued to drive on, apply his energy and creativity to the cause – acutely aware of how important the issue is to the city.
Nicky was a driving force behind so many worthwhile initiatives in our city and his ‘let’s do it’ attitude carried people from the public and private sector along with him.”
A man of considerable style and substance, he was granted the freedom of Waterford in 2006, becoming only the 31st person to be thus honoured by Ireland’s oldest city.
The distinguished list included former presidents Mary Robinson, Séan T Ó Ceallaigh and Eamon de Valera; actress Anna Manahan, who passed away in March; the late bishop of Southwark, Charles Joseph Henderson; sporting heroes Sean Kelly and John Treacy and historical figures including Charles Stewart Parnell and John Redmond.
Despite running one of Ireland’s busiest architectural practices, which he founded in 1975, he took a deep interest in all aspects of the city’s life, including Waterford Chamber, where he was an honorary life member and served as president in the bicentenary year.
A keen sailor, he co-ordinated the hosting of the Tall Ships’ Race in 2005, chairing the organising team responsible for bringing the spectacular event to the Suir estuary where 450,000 people gathered over four days to see the world’s biggest sailing vessels in action off the southeast coast. Doubtless, his memory will be recalled in 2011 when the international sail-training spectacle returns. Aptly, his own yacht was called Liberty of Waterford.
Characteristically, he devoted tremendous energy to the task force that prepared the Vision 2011 report for the Government on the socio-economic situation in Waterford and the southeast. Launched in 2002, the report spelled out how best to encourage positive developments in the region.
In the same year, he was elected chairman of Waterford airport, having served as a director from the 1980s. Under his tireless leadership, the airport enjoyed a renaissance, and the partnership forged with Aer Arann on scheduled passenger services to the UK and mainland Europe continues to play a crucial part in the life of the region.
The local pilot training college described him as an “inspirational leader” and as a mark of respect ceased all flight training last weekend.
Educated at De La Salle College in Waterford and at the Dublin Institute of Technology, he underlined the importance of education and chaired the Harry Diegmann Education Trust, which funded the third-level studies of a number of Waterford students as well as helping to pay for a much-needed new library at St Saviour’s national school in Ballybeg.
As a victim of prostate cancer, he was anxious that others might benefit from his experience. Advocating regular health checks, he observed that “about one-third of cancer deaths can be prevented with early detection and treatment. So the message I’d leave with men in particular is that they need to be alert to any warning signs from their bodies and visit their doctors regularly to protect their health”.
Though a Catholic, Waterford’s “celebration” of his life was held in Christchurch Cathedral of the Church of Ireland which has seen extensive renovation in recent times. Not only was Nicky chairman of the cathedral advisory committee, he also helped unstintingly in raising funds for the vital restoration work.
He is survived by his wife, Maria, son Ian, sister Anne and his mother, Bríd. He was predeceased by his father, Christy.
Nicholas J Fewer: born October 5th, 1948; died March 26th, 2009