Tributes paid to Offaly man who 'fought the good fight and made a difference'

THERE was deep sadness in Clara and the surrounding area at the news of the passing of Michael Nestor who died on December 9, 2022.

Michael founded the Centre for Independent Living in Tullamore (CIL) in 1996.

At his funeral mass his son Michael said, ''CIL was one of his proudest achievements in providing service for those like himself who had physical or sensory disabilities across Laois and Offaly and it's hard to capture in words how much this meant to him.

"It was everything to him. Countless numbers of people over the last couple of days have mentioned how he was personally involved in helping and supporting them throughout challenging situations in their lives. And what a legacy this is to leave behind.

"He truly made a difference that will live on long after and I just want to give a sincere word of thanks to all his colleagues in OCIL and Irish Wheelchair Association and all the support and care over the years which made such a difference to his life and our lives and to many people's lives,'' said Michael.

"However, OCIL was not his only interest and his son Michael said he was most at home in the peace and quiet of nature. A piece of Bog Yew was brought to the altar representing his close ties with bogland throughout the midlands.

''From the many walks that he took on the Woodfield bog and the many years he spent in Bord na Mona and later with Celtic Roots which was his dream job. It also represented his deep love of history and his connection with the land.

In recent years he would spend hours in the conservatory watching birds outside the window, Finally now he will get out to walk the bogs again and breathe the fresh air,'' said Michael.

A video of Offaly GAA was also brought to the altar symbolising Mick's love of sport.

''He loved all sports particularly football, hurling and athletics. He had immense pride in belonging to one club and one county. He embodied the voluntary nature of the GAA both as a player with the club, county official and club official including county secretary. He also served as a referee in Offaly for many years.

His dedication to club and county was reciprocated from all his own comrades who provided a massive support network for himself and all the family and this meant so much to him.

He loved nothing more than lads calling into the house telling yarns about matches over the years. Most of the stories revolved around various scrapes that he was involved with over the years.

One of the last things he said was that he was really looking forward to being able to have a chat with all these lads again. There will be a few county finals replayed up in heaven now for sure,'' added Michael.

A picture of a German pointer, called Candy was also brought to the altar. It represented his deep love and connection with animals which he passed on to his family.

''We had many dogs over the years there was something about German Pointers that really stood out to him and were special to him. I remember as a young lad heading up to Newry to collect Candy and he had great plans to breed champion hunt dogs. He even went as far as building state of the art kennels and had a run out the back.

Within two weeks of this dog arriving in the place she was sleeping in the bed and when she eventually delivered pups it was in the hot press,'' said Michael.

''Nothing was more important to him than family. He built a family and home as a young man and he provided his family with everything to put us on the right track.

I want to acknowledge the role his family played especially in recent years pitching in with support when things got hard. I want to acknowledge my mother Nancy and the manner in which she cared for my father for so many years. She embodies the values of strength resilience, patience and love in an unquestioning and unwavering way and I know this meant everything to him up to the very end.

Now the old man can rest easy he fought a good fight and he made a difference.''

A Man of Vision and an Inspirational Leader

The Board of Directors and staff of Offaly Centre for Independent Living paid this tribute to Michael.

''In June of 1991 Michael sustained a spinal cord injury following an unfortunate work-related motor bike accident, which left him paralysed from the neck down.

Following 11 months of rehabilitation in, Dun Laoghaoire, he returned to live with his wife and family. Life for Michael gradually settled down to one of complete dependency and constant frustration, due to his physical disability.

However, in 1993 his occupational therapist, introduced Michael to the concept of a Personal Assistant (P.A.) as there was a pilot scheme running in Dublin at that time.

Michael became the second person outside Dublin to employ a P.A. Michael was not happy to be defined by his disability and so his road to recovery began.

In the spring of 1993 he was offered a computer course in the FÁS training centre in Athlone. His P.A. facilitated Michael to attend this training.

He learned to switch on and operate a computer using the only digit available to him at the time, his left index finger. Leaving the centre with four exams in computerized accounts under his belt and from an IT point of view, he was well prepared to move on.

It became a great joy to have the freedom at last to communicate with the outside world and furthermore it gave him a great feeling of achievement to be able to do this without having to constantly rely on his wife and family.

Seeing the value of a P.A service, ambition and a natural instinct towards self-advancement led him to look towards pastures new and open up a whole new world to him.

Having had an extensive career in Bord na Mona and the GAA prior to his accident, and having experienced the concept of Personal Assistant he decided to form a committee and set up a CE Scheme OPAS (Offaly Personal Assistant Services).

He later set up OCIL (Offaly Centre for Independent Living) CLG (a registered charity) in 1996, in his native county of Offaly, which is now located on the Clonminch road Tullamore.

Michael was not happy to just benefit from the PA service himself he wanted to extend this service so that other people with disabilities could benefit from it.

Through OCIL Michael actively promoted the philosophy of independent living to persons with physical and/or sensory disabilities, to enable them to live independent lives in their own homes/communities as opposed to institutional services provided by the state.

Michael’s vision was to employ a P.A. which would empower the person with a disability (Leader, as they became known), to take control of their own life and live as an active citizen and participate in community activities as an equal citizen of the state.

This was paramount to Michael. This working partnership often lead to creating lifelong friendships between the Leader and PA.

Michael’s drive, vision, ambition and advocacy in promoting the needs of individuals with physical and sensory disabilities over the past 30 years all done on a voluntary basis, has made huge impact on the lives of many leaders and their families in the local communities.

He was awe inspiring by his positive can do attitude and always finding a way around any obstacle that arose He was a wealth of knowledge and was generous in sharing that knowledge with others.

As a testimony to Michael’s legacy OCIL provides personal Assistant services to Leaders in counties Laois and Offaly and the service continues to thrive.

Michael leaves behind a truly amazing legacy that people with physical and or/ sensory disabilities will continue to enjoy into the future and will change their lives so much for the better. He will be sadly missed by all in Offaly Centre for Independent Living and afar for his never ending energy and enthusiasm.

May all your good deeds go with you Michael and that you may now enjoy the peace you so richly deserve.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.''