It was with a heavy heart that our members learned of the passing of Stephen
Thornton our much loved and respected colleague. Although we knew Stephen was fighting a good fight none of us expected the awful news on Saturday afternoon.
Indeed a few weeks earlier Stephen had agreed to become Club President at our
upcoming AGM. It was typical of the man that he would fulfil the role even whilst he
was unwell.
By his own admission Stephen was not the most talented footballer to ever wear the
Green and White but he more than compensated with his relentless drive to ensure
the club wanted for nothing.
The highlights of his playing career included an Intermediate championship in 1979 and helping Geraldines reach the holy grail in 1982. Both these were earned along side his brother John. Stephen also won a junior championship medal on an infamous day in Castlebellingham. A team captained by his brother Martin.
When his playing days ended Stephen threw himself wholeheartedly into the
administration of the club. He first served as club secretary before becoming the
youngest chairman in the history of the club. During this spell he oversaw the
building and opening of our hall in 1993.
He came back to serve as chairman for a second spell in 2015. He fulfilled many other roles notably driving the Green Club programme which helped reduce our carbon footprint. Stephen also served on the Louth Minor Board and Cumann Peil na nOg.
It was his great wit and storytelling that set him apart from others. His amazing
memory and knowledge of all things Geraldines will be sorely missed. You definitely
did not want to find yourself in his company if you had made a mistake!!
Stephen was a great family man and while our loss is huge it pales into
insignificance compared to Evelyn, Gillian, Niamh and Aoife.
We offer them our most sincere condolences and also to Martin, John, Marie, Dolores, Breda and Chris.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis. Ní bheidh a leithéad arís ann.
Thornton our much loved and respected colleague. Although we knew Stephen was fighting a good fight none of us expected the awful news on Saturday afternoon.
Indeed a few weeks earlier Stephen had agreed to become Club President at our
upcoming AGM. It was typical of the man that he would fulfil the role even whilst he
was unwell.
By his own admission Stephen was not the most talented footballer to ever wear the
Green and White but he more than compensated with his relentless drive to ensure
the club wanted for nothing.
The highlights of his playing career included an Intermediate championship in 1979 and helping Geraldines reach the holy grail in 1982. Both these were earned along side his brother John. Stephen also won a junior championship medal on an infamous day in Castlebellingham. A team captained by his brother Martin.
When his playing days ended Stephen threw himself wholeheartedly into the
administration of the club. He first served as club secretary before becoming the
youngest chairman in the history of the club. During this spell he oversaw the
building and opening of our hall in 1993.
He came back to serve as chairman for a second spell in 2015. He fulfilled many other roles notably driving the Green Club programme which helped reduce our carbon footprint. Stephen also served on the Louth Minor Board and Cumann Peil na nOg.
It was his great wit and storytelling that set him apart from others. His amazing
memory and knowledge of all things Geraldines will be sorely missed. You definitely
did not want to find yourself in his company if you had made a mistake!!
Stephen was a great family man and while our loss is huge it pales into
insignificance compared to Evelyn, Gillian, Niamh and Aoife.
We offer them our most sincere condolences and also to Martin, John, Marie, Dolores, Breda and Chris.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis. Ní bheidh a leithéad arís ann.
