The late Donie Quirke

It was with immense sadness that a large crowd of family and friends bid a fond farewell to Donie of 78 St. Brendan's Park, Tralee and formerly of Knockglossmore, Camp.
Donie passed away peacefully on October 9th, 2009 after a short illness.
Born on October 31st, 1937, to Maurice Quirke and Mary Quirke (nee Crean), Donie was the eldest of four children. He was raised in Knockglossmore, Camp, a place he always held very dear to his heart.
Following his national school education in Camp School, he continued his education in the CBS The Green and Tralee Technical School. In fact, he cycled from Camp to Tralee on many occasions while attending secondary school.
Donie had a gifted pair of hands and achieved first place in Ireland for woodwork while attending the Technical School in Tralee.
His home in St. Brendan's Park is testament to his woodworking skills and he could always be seen with a piece of paper to hand and a pencil over his ear, ready for action.
When he finished his secondary education in Tralee, he went to college in Kevin Street, Dublin to qualify as an electrician.
On January 1st, 1955, Donie started work as an electrician with the ESB and in the coming years progressed to area supervisor where he was a pillar of support and guidance to his colleagues, until his early retirement in 1996, after 40 years service.
His years working with the ESB were always remembered fondly by him and he enjoyed recounting stories of his time with the life long friends he made while working with the ESB.
Donie, along with his good friends, was instrumental in the construction of the pitch and putt club at Kileen, Tralee, He enjoyed seeing this project coming to fruition and he played many a game himself.
A promising footballer at an early age, Donie was a minor for Strand Road in the early 50s and he played centrefield with the Camp minor football team which won the District Board Final in 1953.
In 1954 he won a county medal with the Tralee Technical School. He also played for the Munster Technical School. He was also on the team that won the West Kerry Championship in 1958,
Even though still a minor, he played senior football with Camp. Donie was indeed proud to wear the green and red of his native Camp. So it was only fitting that Camp, Annascaul and West Kerry footballers should join with his work colleagues in the ESB in forming a guard of honour at his removal.
He was an ardent follower and supporter of Kerry football and travelled near and far, year after year, to see the Kerry team play. His excellent memory and knowledge of all aspects of former/current Kerry team(s) was legendary. It was Donie's love of football that led him to meet the love of his life, Theresa Sayers, in Dingle in the early 60s, where he was training.
Donie and Theresa's love and dedication to each other for over 45 years was remarkable and the happy couple were blessed with four daughters. Donie was adored as a father and was devoted to his four daughters, Maria, Corinna, Tara and Orna. He was an adoring granddad to Kevin, Isabella and Daniel.
Donie was a great family man, neighbour and friend and all who visited, and continue to visit his home, said that he was 'one of life's true gentlemen'.
A void in our hearts, which can never be filled, has occurred by the sad passing of a deeply missed and beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, father in law, uncle, godfather, brother in law, neighbour and a good friend to all, Donie Quirke.
His presence will always be missed by his loving wife Theresa, his daughters Maria, Corinna, Tara and Orna, his grandchildren, sons in law, brothers, sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, his relatives and by his many friends.


Courtesy of The Kerryman
4th November 2009 Tweet

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