Charity surprises Limerick care facility resident with life membership for decades of ‘Sage’ advice
Paschal Sage was overjoyed with the accolade from SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity
A LIFE well-lived has been recognised with a surprise honorary life membership.
Paschal Sage, who resides in Ennis Road Care Facility on the northside of Limerick city, received the accolade from the SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
Paschal was born in Waterford in 1940 and like many in those times, emigrated to England in his 20s. He was in the Royal British Legion for 30 years. Paschal always had a personal motto that if he could help with anything, he would, and when he could no longer help he would leave!
Paschal was overjoyed at receiving a letter in the post which says “The Executive Committee of SSAFA ROI Branch has voted unanimously to award you Branch Honorary Lifetime Membership in recognition and appreciation of your long service as a caseworker and as a valued member of the Executive Committee”.
“Your advice and guidance has been greatly valued and I know that you have provided sympathetic support to many of our welfare cases,” reads the letter.
SSAFA ROI Branch President Colonel Richard Kinsella-Bevan extended his personal thanks for all Paschal has done for SSAFA and helping others.
“We miss you at our meetings but hope this recognition by the Branch will be in some sense a continuing link to us all,” concludes the letter.
Paschal, a carpenter by trade, worked on many sites in the UK until he returned to his beloved Waterford in the 1970s as a site manager. He was offered a transfer between Shannon and Mayo in 1976 and chose Shannon where he has been ever since.
Paschal covered the area for SSFA from Kerry to Mayo, working closely with both ex service men and women and those in the forces.
He also assisted those that had been widowed or wounded. It could have been anything from assisting with allowances and pensions to putting a new roof on a house - whatever SSFA could do they did. And Paschal has been duly rewarded for all he did.
Paschal said: “I was blessed to have volunteered with such amazing people.”