Cork has lost a kind gentleman
A great sadness swept over Cork this week as news emerged that Mercy University Hospital Foundation’s CEO Micheál Sheridan had passed away.
Micheál, who was well known in many circles on Leeside, died after a short battle with cancer. Many expressed their sympathies describing him as a gentleman, inspirational, a great leader and mentor and a kind friend.
Micheál was an integral part of the 96FM Radiothon 2024 just two weeks ago, in which €409,178 was raised for cancer charities in Cork.
Speaking on ‘The Opinion Line’ on Cork's 96FM on Wednesday, CEO of 96FM and C103 Kieran McGeary said it was difficult to process the news. Mr McGeary told listeners that Micheál was interviewed during the radiothon about his cancer diagnosis.
“It was a raw and emotional interview,” Mr McGeary said.
He continued: “(After the interview), he came into my office. We hugged and shed a lot of tears. We knew things were bad, but I didn’t think things were as bad as they obviously were and I couldn’t have foreseen just a few shorts weeks later we would be talking about Micheál in the past. He only turned 51 five days ago.”
He added: “For me, just thinking about Micheál’s situation, it just seems so cruel that a man who has spent so much of his life doing so much for other people through fundraising at the Mercy Hospital Foundation, for him to be taken at such an early age from this cruel illness is very difficult to get your head around.”
Mr McGeary said that since Micheál told him the news last November, he went through phrases of being angry about it as well as sad and emotional about it. A statement from the Mercy University Hospital Foundation said: “On behalf of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors and the entire fundraising team, we extend our deepest sympathies to Micheál’s family - his wife Claire, and their four sons Éanna, Rían, Finn and Caelán; as well as to Micheál’s mother Marie, and siblings Darina, Noírín, Sean and Niall.”
The statement continued: “While no words can adequately express our deep sorrow at losing our leader, the Foundation’s team is profoundly grateful for having had the opportunity to know, work with, and learn from Micheál. Having worked in the not-for-profit sector in Ireland for over 25 years, Micheál was always passionate about the role that charities play in improving the lives of people across the island of Ireland. He has had a huge impact across all of the many organisations and projects he was involved in, and leaves behind a tremendous legacy of positivity and change.”
Micheál first joined the Foundation in 2007 as its first employee, and saw the Foundation grow to become one of the leading hospital foundations in the country. In 2021, Micheál left the Foundation to become CEO of Irish Community Air Ambulance, now called Critical, where he spent three years.
In January this year, Micheál returned to the Foundation as CEO.
“In the short time we had him back, he continued to focus on delivering real, impactful, and positive changes for patients at The Mercy,” concluded the statement.
CEO of Critical, David Tighe said: “We are all shocked to hear of the passing of Mícheál Sheridan. He worked tirelessly to help communities in Cork and around the country and his work will be remembered by all the volunteers, staff and trustees of Critical. On behalf of the team, I would like to express our sincerest condolences to his wife, children, family, friends and his colleagues at the Mercy Hospital Foundation.”