Larry McGettrick was laid to rest, in Carlow, on Sunday, May 5th. Shocked by his sudden death, his grief stricken family and a large group of friends gathered at his graveside and listened to his son Paul, play a last tribute to his beloved father, on the tin whistle. Family life, in the McGettrick household, had much to do with music.
Larry was one of those gifted, gentle people, never pushy, never forward: he was philosophical, thoughtful, wise and scholarly, a valued friend to all who were fortunate to become acquainted with him.
He was a teacher in Knockbeg College for most of his professional life, always achieving excellent results and inspiring his pupils with a love of learning, particularly the Greek culture and civilisation which he dearly loved. Later on, when Greek was dropped from the curriculum, Fr Brendan Byrne PP, Tullow, speaking at the Requiem Mass, said: "In spite of this disappointment Larry applied himself, with the same degree of dedication, to the teaching of the more mundane subjects."
He was a valued member of the staff of Knockbeg College, and is remembered, with great affection by them and by many of his past pupils, one of whom, Fr Brian Nolan, happened to be at his bedside, during his last hours in Beaumont Hospital. Larry was a member of the Third Order of St Francis, whose life he emulated, so that his deep spirituality, humility, kindness and sensitivity is the abiding memory left behind.
In recent years, his health deteriorated, preventing him from doing his garden, which he loved, or playing the odd game of golf.
However, being intellectual by nature, he spent many useful hours reading and meditating, travelling too, with his wife, Lily, provided great stimulation.
He will be missed, not only by his wife, and four children, but by the friends who learned much from his quiet ways. Ar dheis De go raibh se.