RIP: Tributes paid to beloved Tipperary librarian following sad passing
Gerard ‘Gerry’ Flannery passed away on June 6
The death has occurred of Gerard ‘Gerry’ Flannery, of Rosemount, Clongour, Thurles and Upper Cahir Abbey, Cahir, Tipperary/Thurles, Tipperary.
He is predeceased by his father Con.
Gerry passed away after a brief illness at Waterford University Hospital.
He will be very sadly missed by his loving mother Mary, sister Sarah, her husband Andy and niece Katherine, sisters, Shadi, Sheva, Sheenaz and their partners, uncle Joe (Codd) and his wife Maureen, extended family, work colleagues and his many friends.
Gerry lay in repose in Costigan’s Funeral Home, Cahir, on Wednesday evening, July 8, from 6pm to 7pm.
Funeral Mass will take place in St Mary’s Church, Cahir, on Thursday morning at 10:30am, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
The family has asked for family flowers only, with donations if desired to South Tipperary Hospice.
May he rest in peace.
Tipperary County Council issued a statement shortly after his passing, saying: “It is with deep sadness that we at Tipperary County Council Library Service announce the passing of our friend and colleague, Gerry Flannery. Gerry passed away on Monday morning 6th July after a short illness, borne with great courage.
“Gerry started work with Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee in 1993 and gave thirty-four years of committed and dedicated service to Tipperary Libraries. Gerry dedicated his whole working life to the Public Library Service. He worked in Roscrea Library, Library HQ, and spent the last ten years managing our flagship Branch Library, The Source in Thurles. He was the longest serving staff member in the Library Service, and will be greatly missed by his friends, colleagues and the many people whose lives he touched throughout his time with us.
“Please note that The Source Library in Thurles will be closed on Thursday 9th July to allow Gerry’s friends and colleagues to attend his funeral. A book of condolences has been opened in The Source Library in Thurles.”
Tributes have been paid to Gerry online following his passing, with one person saying: “A terrible shock Gerry. You were the librarian in The Source Art centres library in Thurles where I had my first solo exhibition a few years ago. You were unbelievably supportive & encouraging.
I remember being hesitant of selling one of my illustrations at 500€, I remember telling you the price I was considering charging & you said to me immediately ‘Don’t undersell yourself’. I was shocked & complimented big time that you thought I should have been charging even more! This same illustration SOLD.
You brought me over to the kids book section in the library and showed me names of various children’s book illustrators, in attempts to encourage me to consider illustrating a children’s book one day. You believed in my art more than I did at the time. Gerry said plenty of other kind hearted words throughout the month of my exhibition. I certainly won’t forget you, until we meet again rest in peace & condolences to the Flannery family.”
Another said: “My deepest sympathies to Mary, Sarah and all of Gerry's extended family. Having worked with Gerry with Tipperary Libraries I saw at close quarters his dedication to the service and, above all, his interest in and care for his colleagues. He was always generous with his time and advice and his presence will be very sorely missed, ar Dheis Dé go raibh a Anam.”