Tom Sheridan, class '56
In Memoriam
The Union was saddened to hear of the passing of Tom Sheridan, class '56.
The death has occurred of Tom SHERIDAN K.M.
Quarrymount, John's Hill, Waterford City, Waterford
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SHERIDAN K.M., Tom (Quarrymount, John’s Hill, Waterford) --- April 20th 2014 peacefully at home, beloved husband of Curley and much loved Dad to Jennifer, Gerard, and Joey and granddad to Zoe, Alex, Thomas, Harry, Emma, Anna and James (and Gillian and Lucy in Heaven). Father-in-law to Christina, Vivienne and Bill Walsh, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends. R.I.P. Reposing at his residence on Tuesday, 22nd April, from 2pm until 5pm followed by removal to St. Joseph & St. Benildus Church, Newtown, Waterford, arriving at 7pm. Requiem Mass on Wednesday, 23rd April, at 12.30pm followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ballygunner. |
Date Published: Sunday 20th April 2014
Date of Death: Sunday 20th April 2014
Thomas, class '56, has a long family connection with Castleknock. His father Gerard was class '32, his uncle Michael, class '40 and his seven brothers all went as well - Gerard (class '57), Jim (class '58), Michael (class '59), John (Class'60) Pat (class '62), Brendan (class '70), and Anthony (class '77).
He married Constance (Curley) Nolan in 1962 and the union was blessed with a daughter Jennifer and two sons who continued the Knock tradition: Gerard, class '81 and Joey class '88.
Tom spent three years with the Ford Motor Company when he left Castleknock. He then returned as the eldest son to the family business. 60 years later he had guided the Sheridan family firm from its origin as a single motor dealer in Waterford to one of the largest Ford main dealerships in the country, expanding into ancillary businesses, including Hertz branded car fleet leasing operations in Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
He was an early member of the Aero Club and an enthusiastic pilot – this led to his involvement in developing Waterford Airport, perhaps his most public business achievement. Sheridan moulded and guided a group of local businessmen who took over the airstrip at Waterford and set up Waterford Airport plc. The group put up a considerable funds of their own, and successfully raised over €1.25 million from the public in a campaign that involved the whole community. This secured a facility for Waterford that allowed the southeast community access by air to London, Birmingham, Manchester, and for a time continental Europe. As chairman of the fledgling Waterford Airport Company, he secured the involvement of the newly established Ryanair, who had their first commercial flight from Waterford to Gatwick on July 8th, 1985. Curley, Tom’s widow, still holds ticket number one issued by Ryanair.
He was was a past president of the Waterford Chamber of Commerce, participated in many of its committees, and was part of a group that travelled to Rochester, New York, to initiate a twinning relationship. He was a long-term member of Waterford Rotary Club, joining shortly after the formation of the club in 1969, and acted as its president in 1978-1979, receiving the highest accolade of the organisation, the Paul Harris Fellowship, for service to Rotary and the community.
He was very proud of his membership of the Knights of Malta, and would have felt honoured by their attendance at the large funeral in St Joseph and Benildus Church, which also saw strong representation from the motor trade. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Curley, sons Gerard and Joey, daughter Jennifer and the wider Sheridan family
Requiescat in Pace.