Pete Ward, Corbeagh House, Cootehill

THE passing of Pete Ward, Corbeagh House, Cootehill ends a link with one of the best-known people involved in the teaching profession, theatre and the GAA in Cavan and Monaghan, as well as further afield over many years. Aged 66 and a native of Drumhowan, Ballybay, he was regarded as a man of considerable intellect and talent and he left an indelible mark on the various organisations with which he was involved. Though he lived in Cootehill since 1970, he made a valuable contribution to his adopted county as teacher, community development leader and in sporting circles. However he remained a declared and devoted Monaghan man all his life. It was in education and amateur drama that Pete came to prominence and when he joined the staff of St. Aidan's Comprehensive School in Cootehill he made many new friends, in particular Larry McCluskey. Both were involved in a number of projects with particular relevance to drama. Peter taught in Belturbet Vocational School before joining the staff of St Aidan's Comprehensive in 1971 where he took up the post of woodwork and mechanical drawing teacher. Pete was no ordinary man, he was exceptional as a designer, make-doer, teacher and motivator, family provider and a real friend and colleague. He was available to help in assisting with the development of a GAA grounds in Cavan and Monaghan, among them Cootehill, Knockbride, Kill, Butlersbridge and Cootehill, as well as Latton, Corduff and Drumhowan, Inver College, Carrickmacross and many others. As a member of Kill Shamrocks GFC, he worked and planned the development of the grounds in 1980 when a park committee was formed and the plans were eventually agreed by 1983. He saw its completion and official opening. He had a deep interest in underage and minor football and was chairman of St Finbarr's, an amalgamation of Kill, Drumgoon and Drung, in Under-14, U-16 and minor with some success. His association with the GAA also took him to many parts where he acted as umpire for well-known referee, Joe McQuillan, a native of Kill. Pete played his football with Drumhowan in the 50s and 60s and by all accounts was a fine player. He had a real interest and limitless energy as well as innovative ideas about how the game should be played or how it could be improved. Anything which was for the good of the community, whether it was sporting or cultural, Pete was never far away from showing his support. A Monaghan man through and through, he was always in demand as an after-dinner speaker or a part in a play at various drama festivals. At the 50th anniversary of the Cavan minor team, which reached the All-Ireland final in 1959, he was guest speaker and had the audience was enthralled with his many stories and anecdotes. His sporting interests extended to skiing with his sister Beatrice and her husband Clyde who had a chateau in the French Alps where Pete became quite an expert. Pete became involved with the Ballintra Players and was also the corner-stone of the Drumlin Players over the past three decades. He provided assistance to Castleblayney Players, Carrigallen Players, Kill, Shercock and Bailieboro drama groups. He was also closely involved in Cootehill Arts Festival, Tullyvin Festival and the annual St Patrick's Day Parade. He was not just a token contributor to these groups and events but worked diligently to ensure they were successful. A master craftsman in wood, Pete possessed a rare combination of design and work finish. He planned things in great detail and made scale models. Pete carried that design flair across into the commercial sector in Anney housing development. He inspired students in St Aidan's with his enthusiasm for his subjects, the materials, the techniques and the designs. Often it was the weaker students who received Pete's closest attention. He was never one for the hype and dazzle of the high flyer. No, his interest was in raising the average and the bottom performances. He was also in communication with an extraordinary large number of past pupils, even from Belturbet Vocational school, where he had started under the watchful eye of Eamon McDonald, and despite the age difference they became life-long friends. Pete was a much travelled man visiting with his friends, among them Larry McCluskey, to such exotic countries as Japan, South Korea and Nova Scotia in Canada. His legacy will be as a family man, teacher, an imparter of technical skills, a great motivator, stage designer, sportsman, renowned for his raconteur and wit. He is survived by his wife, Aileen (nee Magee); sons, Simon, Eoin and Davy; daughters, Stephanie, Kildare and Aoife, Cootehill; Julie, Dublin and Laura, Cootehill; his brothers, Patrick and JJ and sisters, Philomena, Laura, Patricia, Rosemarie, Una, Beatrice and Sheila McArdle. The funeral took place from St Bridget's Church, Kill, to the adjoining cemetery.