Martin Hayes RIP

‘Martin’s fingerprints are all over the fabric of this church building’. Thus began the priest's sermon at Martin Hayes' Requiem Mass, ‘He played a pivotal role in refurbishing churches throughout the parish’.  Martin was fondly remembered as dependable, wise, a true community man.

Martin qualified as a teacher in 1975 from the woodwork teacher training college in Gorey. He worked for many years in Schull where he was involved in all aspects of school life including, recently, the Board Of Management. He never concealed his love of teaching, helping and guiding young people. Martin was involved in many local voluntary concerns such as the G.A.A.( leaving his hospital bed to be at a fund raising event),the Tidy Towns, Macra na Feirma , the T.U.I. and our National Executive where I first met him twenty five years ago.

Martin had been central to the TechnoTeachers Association almost from its inception and served as national treasurer for thirty years. He remained on as treasurer even after his recent retirement. In the time I’ve known him, Martin was a steady calming voice when wisdom and common sense were called for. As his daughter said ‘A man of very few words’ but when he spoke, it was measured, it was important and it always carried weight. 

We now know that Martin bore his illness privately and with great dignity for more than a year, so it came as a hammer blow when we learned of his untimely passing. As chairperson of TTA I want, on behalf of all our members and the national executive, to acknowledge and thank Martin for his contribution, his wisdom and dedication to us and to the ideal of helping others. As a friend, I feel the inadequacy of my words. We will all feel the loss of his personality, his skills and talents and his contribution to education and to fellow teachers.

Finally, on behalf of the association, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Margaret and his family on their sad loss.  Martin's family were the heart of his life and we thank them for sharing him with us. It is no exaggeration to say that Martin Hayes’ fingerprints are all over TechnoTeachers Association and we will try to keep his spirit of community, mutual help and support alive as long as the association exists.

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