The commemorative stone being unveiled in the new Sean Crispie Park. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
A FORMER town clerk received a fitting tribute with a new park named in his honour on the Castlemaine Road.
The late Sean Crispie, former town clerk of Tralee from 1972 to 1994, sadly passed away this time last year – this Thursday being the first anniversary of his death.
Unveiling the commemorative stone in the Park, located opposite Lidl just over the bridge from the roundabout at Castlemorris, was Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Jim Finucane.
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In attendance were, family and friends along with former work colleagues in Tralee Urban District Council.
Though Sean Crispie was originally from Cork, he raised a family in Tralee and called it his home.
“Sean was an outstanding public servant who facilitated and co-drove the huge expansion of the town over a 20 year period,” said Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Jim Finucane.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Jim Finucane, speaking before the unveiling of the Sean Crispie commemorative stone. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
“He was incredibly forward thinking in his contribution to plans for the town which included major infrastructure projects like the Tralee flood relief scheme, which protects the town to this day,” said Mayor Finucane.
“He was an extraordinary gentlemen, a true servant of the town and this country. For those of us who worked with him he was an exemplary and thorough gentleman. He will serve as the ideal for public service and I’m privileged to have known him,” said the Mayor.
Speaking on behalf of Sean Crispie’s family was his daughter, Fiona.
“We’d like to express our enormous gratitude to the council for bestowing this honour on Dad today. We’d particularly like to thank, Johnnie Wall, John Griffin, Joe Carey, Jim Finucane and Frank Hartnett,” said Ms Crispie.
“This time last year at dad’s funeral, my family sang Phil Coulter song ‘The Old Man’. It includes the words ‘we never shall forget him, for he made us what we are’. Today our family is deeply gratified and humbled to know that now the town of Tralee will also never forget him, for he helped make it what it is,” said Ms Crispie.
Sean Crispie’s family and extended family. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
