Father-of-four who devoted his life to welfare of others dies aged 51

A FATHER-OF-FOUR who devoted his life to helping raise funds and awareness to help others was cruelly cut down in his prime by cancer.

Micheál Sheridan, of Hospital and formerly of Cavan, passed away on June 4 – just a week after turning 51. He was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer last November.

The CEO of Mercy University Hospital Foundation in Cork is sadly missed by loving wife Claire, their four young sons Éanna, aged 19, Rían, 17, Finn, 13, Caelán, 8, his mother Marie, extended family and many, many friends.

Micheál’s whole career and life centred around helping and supporting others. His primary degree was a Bachelor of Arts in Maynooth University and in later life completed a Masters at the Smurfit Graduate Business School in UCD.

During his time in Maynooth college he became the welfare officer and vice president of the Students’ Union. The welfare of others was a constant theme in his career. His first job was fundraising for the ISPCC. 

Micheál then became the first employee of the Mercy University Hospital Foundation, built it up and became CEO. Three years were spent as CEO at Ireland’s first and only charity air ambulance (now known as Critical) before returning to the Mercy in January this year. Micheál is pictured below with John Creedon.

“In his career he needed to be in a role where he was making a difference and people were being impacted in a positive way, that’s what motivated him,” said his wife Claire.  

He felt a deep sense of responsibility in his roles and was dedicated to the cause. This is epitomised by Micheál attending a board meeting a week before his passing.

“He was fighting with every ounce of strength he had just to be able to get out of bed in the final weeks and days of his illness. We don’t know how he put one foot in front of the other but he did it until he literally couldn’t do it anymore,” said Claire.

A statement on behalf of Mercy University Hospital Foundation’s board of directors and the entire fundraising team, said 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,” reads the tribute.

Micheál’s most important legacy of all is his and Claire’s four boys.

“He was always hands on as a dad. He loved the bones of the boys and they all knew they were loved, which was important. He was a big man for hugs and kisses and not afraid to say ‘I love you’,” said Claire.

Micheál attended youngest son Caelán’s Holy Communion three weeks before he died. Despite how unwell and tired Micheál felt he was determined that Caelán would have a happy day. Those photos and memories of the day will be treasured.

“The boys all got to spend time with their dad at his bedside in his final days. They got to tell him one last time that they loved him before he passed away, and he told all of them he loved them as well. 

“He told them that he was proud of them, and he wanted them to continue on the journey they were on, and not let what happened to him throw them off course.

“He told them to grow up to be good human beings – that’s what was important to him,” said Claire, who has lost her soulmate.

“We met in college and every step of the way in life, we’ve done it together. We really, really miss him because we just loved to be around him. He was their dad and he was their friend. He was my husband and he was my friend,” said Claire.

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She wished to thank Mercy University Hospital and all the doctors and nurses who took amazing care of him throughout his treatment and at the end of his life.

“When Micheál was diagnosed with cancer we chose to have a positive outlook. We were going to fight it. He really fought it with everything he had and the Mercy hospital, the team treating Micheál did everything they could. We couldn’t have asked for more and I am forever grateful for everything they did for Micheál and our family. 

“In a cruel twist of fate, Micheál ended up using the psycho-oncology services of the Mercy Cancer Care Centre that he envisioned and started work on seven years ago. The centre opened its doors in March this year and is Ireland’s only psychologist led cancer care centre, providing psychological care and emotional support to cancer patients.  

“He was very proud when the Cancer Care Centre opened its doors and had so many plans for the future that he was excited about, it’s just so unfair,” said Claire.

A GoFundMe page has been set up entitled The Sheridan Family Education Fund to support his sons’ education in the coming years and if people want to say thank you to a man who gave so much and asked so little please click here

May he rest in peace.