The death took place two weeks ago of Rev. Bro. Christopher Gavin, Irish Christian Brother, former principal of Tralee CBS, Scoil Mhuire, An Fhaiche, The Green. Bro. Gavin, who was born in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath in 1929, was educated at Rochford CBS and later at Marino and University College Cork.
His first posting was to Glin in west Limerick and others included Drimnagh, Thurles, Kilkenny, Port Sudan and Rhartown where his hands-on approach to building saw him deeply involved in the construction of schools for the poor.
He was a keen and 'wirey' Gaelic footballer in his youth. Christopher Camillus Gavin served as superior in Tralee from 1985 to 1991. Again, his hands-on approach often found him personally taking on the job of levelling or building a wall rather than spending the school's scarce funds.
His efforts at removing the school's prefabs have since been rewarded. He referred to them as "The Huts" when on the phone to the Department of Education officials. Bro. Gavin single handedly planted the entire crop of beautiful trees around the school and shrubbery.
With equal determination he spread, with a shovel, the tons of special gravel that arrived by the truck load for the all weather pitch. CBS the Green staff and students attended Bro. Gavin's funeral in Baldoyle. He will be sadly missed by his colleagues and many friends in Tralee.

The Kerryman, 4th December 2013 Tweet

Most Read Stories