Former Roscommon Hospital surgeon laid to rest

Former surgeon at Roscommon Hospital, Dr Oliver Clinton was laid to rest today, Friday, in St. Coman’s Cemetery, Roscommon Town following Funeral Mass at the Sacred Heart Church.

Mr Clinton, Antogher Road, Roscommon Town and formerly of Moynalty, Co Meath, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22nd at his home.

In a moving eulogy at his Funeral Mass today (Friday), Fr Kevin Fallon said that Mr Clinton, as a surgeon, brought so much joy in helping so many people, and that the parish and the community was a lesser place since his passing on Monday.

Fr Fallon told the congregation that the highly acclaimed surgeon also tutored many others to become fine surgeons. The priest said that Mr Clinton was a man of great faith and in so many ways, had touched the lives of people in Roscommon.

Many sympathisers have expressed their condolences online through the rip.ie website.

Staff at the Outpatient Department at Roscommon Hospital extended their deepest condolences to his wife Alexandra and all the Clinton family. “Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. We have very fond memories of working with him here in Roscommon Hospital. May Oliver Rest In Peace,” said the message.

Former administrator at Roscommon Hospital, Seamus Gallagher said he had worked with Mr Clinton for a time at the hospital. “We were thrilled at the time to have Oliver join us, as it resulted in the hospital having a second surgeon to join Michael Relihan. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad and lonely time,” he said.

One former student colleague at UCD described him as a lovely, thoughtful gentleman, saying he was full of “intellectual rigour and challenge, and with a depth of humanity and kindness that evident even a as a young man”.

A former student of Mr Clinton's said he treated everybody the same, “whether peers, junior doctors, allied health professionals and patients alike”.

Another former medical student said she was lucky to have many tutorials and lectures in the University of Galway from Mr Clinton. “He was excellent as a teacher and doctor,” she said.

In an article in the Irish Times in 2008 which was mentioned by Fr Fallon at today’s Funeral Mass, Mr. Clinton spoke about how he had a brain tumour removed by a neurosurgeon in New York University Medical Centre, and returned home to Ireland to recover.

In the article, he said he returned to work but was not allowed to go back to performing surgery. At that time, he worked three days a week in Roscommon Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital, along with research work for two days at Sligo General Hospital.

Mr Clinton is survived by his wife Dr. Alexandra (Robinson), sons Peter, William, Patrick and Edward, daughters-in-law Mia, Sarah, Juliette and Phoebe, brothers Tom, Ambrose and Anthony, sisters Stella and Frieda, aunt Olive (McCormack), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

Reposal took place at his home in Antogher Road on Thursday evening with removal on Friday morning, today. Burial took place in St Coman’s Cemetery today, Friday, following Funeral Mass at the Sacred Heart Church.