Tributes paid to a ‘gentle giant’ and ‘an amazing guy’
The late Mr Michael Neary.
A technician and broadcaster with Midwest Radio who passed away peacefully at his County Roscommon home has been described by former colleagues as a “gentle giant” and “an amazing guy”.
Michael Neary, Milltown, Ballinlough, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family, following a long illness.
He first joined Midwest Radio in 1985 – initially as a radio presenter – before combining his broadcasting skills with his technical abilities and played a central role in the station’s technical department until 2010. After that, Michael continued to broadcast a variety of music programmes.
“He had an extraordinary knowledge and love of all genres of music and his very popular weekly Saturday morning Country Music programmes recorded huge listenership figures. Apart from music, his other main passion was agriculture and he hosted the weekly farming programme – Farming Matters – every Wednesday night for over 10 years here on Midwest Radio,” the station management said.
“Michael was also instrumental in bringing many memorable outside broadcasts to listeners. He was the main engineer on Midwest Radio’s historic broadcast of Mass from the summit of Croagh Patrick in July 1989 and was responsible for the weekly broadcast of live Masses from various churches around the region for over two decades.
“Due to his incredible technical skills Midwest Radio delivered a range of programmes to listeners by way of live outside broadcasts ranging from sport events, election counts, festivals and protests.
“Michael’s talents were many, but it was his lovely personality and wit that will be best remembered by the many who knew and loved him.”
Listeners from across the region and beyond have been paying tribute to him, noting that “it was a pleasure to tune into Michael's programmes, he had a lovely warmth about him”.
Midwest Radio presenter and fellow Roscommon man Gerry Glennon, speaking on the station’s Tommy Marren Show, described him as “a genius” and “an amazing guy”.
“It’s always said that a person is unique. Michael was unique — but as well as being unique, he was special,” said Mr Glennon.
“He had so many gifts, and he used those gifts so well. No one could ever say they had a row or a disagreement with Michael Neary. He was one of life’s gentlemen. He was a very private man, but a wonderful man, and he’ll be so sorely missed. But he has left us with a wonderful legacy.”
Mr Glennon added that he had “a ferocious desire to live” throughout his illness, during which he was supported by his wonderful wife and children.
Presenter Tommy Marren also paid tribute, saying it had been “a privilege to work with someone who was so even headed and knowledgeable”.
Midwest Radio broadcaster Michael Commins in a Facebook tribute said that he “understood rural Ireland and its people. He was steeped in his love for country music and Irish trad music and was embedded in the farming community, the bedrock of so much that is good in our native culture.
“He was a treasure in the history of Midwest Radio and, hand on heart, was one of the nicest people that I had the pleasure of working alongside at the station all down through the years.”
Pre-deceased by his father, Bob, baby niece, Michelle, father-in-law and mother-in-law, James & Mary Hickey, Greenwood, Ballyhaunis. Deeply regretted by his loving wife, Pauline; children, Sharon, Brian & Elaine; their partners Dan, Anne-Marie & Padraig; mother, Josephine; brother, John; sister ,Mary Raftery; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and his many friends, especially his lifelong friend Gerry.
Reposing at Donnellan's Funeral Home, Clare Street, Ballyhaunis on this evening , Saturday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.. Funeral will arrive to St. Patrick's Church, Granlahan on Sunday for Mass at 12 o'clock, with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
