Page 44 - The Old Ratcliffian 2011

The Old Ratcliffan 2011 | Obituaries he played as fullback in the 1st XV) at a time when he was graveyard, while Chris Ryan, MFH, sounded Going Home on working for Goodyear as an engineer. They married and lived the hunting horn. in Cannock, where their three children, Claudine, Rachel Born in the north of England and raised in Loughborough and Tom were born. Goodyear moved Brendan to Northern Ireland and finally to Limerick where, on retiring from in Leicestershire, Brendan and family moved to Ireland over thirty years ago. They first lived in County Clare, where running Microtherm, he enjoyed the rural pursuits of the countryside. he became Honourable Secretary of the County Clare Hunt. Moving to Bridge House in Knocklong, he joined the On being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he and Christine Scarteens, where he rarely missed a day on his good came over to say goodbye to friends and family. We were grey horse. especially happy that he was able to include Ratcliffe and the Old Ratcliffians’ weekend in their travels. Fr David Tobin In the meantime, he became Treasurer and Vice Chairman of (59) and I were able to visit Brendan in January 2011 and Limerick Show, as well as filling many other roles within the society. He was very much part of the hunt chase and acted he passed away not long afterwards. To Christine and the family – Claudine and Tom, Rachel and Tom, Robert and as a steward and occasionally judge at the Royal Dublin Anne-Marie, and grandchildren, Helena and Sarah – we offer Horse Show for over twenty years. He will be sadly missed our heartfelt prayers. at Ballsbridge. As a profession, he ran Microtherm in Bruff, which gave Fr Simon Giles (60) employment to many families. In addition, he managed the The sporting world will be the poorer with the untimely Derk Estate, which was associated with the business. passing of Brendan Corrigan at his home in Knocklong, County Limerick. He bore his illness with good humour But it was in the hunting field that Brendan was happiest, riding his grey horse, Bruno. He crossed the country as if he and nonchalance. was out for a gentle hack, but always managed to be in the His funeral was a poignant occasion for the large gathering first flight when it mattered. of friends and family. Pall bearers drawn from the ranks of the Scarteen Hunt carried his coffin into the Knocklong Dickie Power (Brendan’s closest friend in Limerick.) Gerard Lutz Old Ratcliffian 1939-42 14th November 1925-14th August 2010 Gerard Lutz, from Sutton Coldfield, years, he became more frail, which failed to recover from a stroke and was sad. He was a great man, died on August 14th 2010. who I’ve shared a lot of wonderful experiences with.” The father of two was well-known on the professional circuit for his “We were doubles partners in services to the game of golf after a the past and we’ve won a few long-standing career in the industry. competitions between us. He’ll be greatly missed.” He worked for the original Dunlop Sports Company as a starter at Gerard was born in Sutton Coldfield high-profile professional events, in 1925 and attended Bishop Vesey and was also the longest serving School. After spending a short member to date at Walmley time in the army, he worked for a Golf Club. manufacturing company before moving into the golf world. He joined the Wylde Green-based club in 1933, aged just eight years His first role was with Penfold Golf old, and continued to visit right up Company before he transferred to until his death. Dunlop, where he spent his ‘best days’, according to Mr Whitworth. Playing partner, John Whitworth, spoke with sadness about his Mr Lutz, who played off a four friend’s death. handicap at his peak, was well known for his help in organising “Gerry was a true friend whom I events like the Dunlop Masters. have known since I was a little boy,” said the 89-year-old, who himself Golf commentator Peter Allis, has been a member for 73 years. who was another friend, sent his condolences to Mr Lutz’s children, “He was an athletic man – a really Bob, and Jo. good sportsman. But, in recent 44