One of the top surgeons in Ireland was ‘some man for one man’

Donal O'Regan, 27 Mar

THE LATE John Drumm, retired consultant surgeon, had a phrase he used

to say about great people, "Some man for one one man”.

Mr Drumm’s son, John Jr, told the packed congregation at his father’s

funeral Mass this Wednesday, “I remember him wistfully saying it when

his own dad died”.

“Well, Dad, I never doubted it and all of these people here and the

legion who stood for hours in the rain yesterday all agree, you were

certainly that, some man for one man,” said John Jnr, at the end of his

eulogy. He gently placed a hand on his dad’s eco-friendly-made coffin

as he took his seat and embraced family members.

Mr Drumm was born in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim but Ballyclough on the

outskirts of Limerick city would become home. His impact on healthcare

in Limerick and the lives of the thousands of patients he transformed

has been reflected in the countless tributes in recent days.

Mr Drumm battled motor neurone disease with a quiet dignity and an

indomitable spirit. He was taken on Sunday from his loving wife Eimer,

children John Jr, Darina and Órla, beloved grandchildren, Nikki, Dara,

Daniel, Eimer Jr and Jamie; his brothers and sisters Mary, Brendan,

Teresa, Fr Michael and Fr Eugene, extended family and his

extraordinarily wide circle of friends and colleagues.

John Jr told the funeral Mass in St Nessan's Church, Raheen that when

they lived in Dublin, his dad was the main kidney transplant surgeon in

the country.

“At the very same time he was doing this job he forged a very strong

camaraderie with the local kids in our estate. I can vividly remember

answering the door to a couple of over excited six-years-olds who

asked, and I quote, ‘Is your dad coming out to play?’. I said, ‘No,

he’s still at work doing kidney transplants’. That was dad to the core

and his total enthusiasm for life,” said John Jr.

He spoke of Mr Drumm’s passion for healthcare in Limerick.

“He wanted the absolute best for his patients and he believed adamantly

they deserved it. He shared this belief with his great friends JP and

Noreen (McManus). They all had a total refusal to accept second best

for Limerick.

"Assisted by their generosity and the Hospitals Development Trust he

helped achieve many great things for healthcare in Limerick. He was

particularly proud of the radiotherapy unit and how effective it was at

delivering care to patients in need,” said John Jr.

When Mr Drumm had a surgical day unit in the Regional Hospital, as it

was known, he would have 10 beds for the 40 patients he would see in a

day. Occasionally these beds would be taken for A&E care so one day he

acquired padlocks from the co-op shop nearby and chained the beds to

the radiators!

Sadly, his wife Eimer’s brother, Brian McGauran, passed away last week.

When John Jr told his dad the news, Mr Drumm replied, “It is so sad,

Johnny, if I was well I could have helped him”.

“That was the measure of dad. He was built to help other people,” said

John Jr, who spoke of his father’s love of travel and was at his

happiest when it combined with sporting trips like the Olympics, Ryder

Cup, Cheltenham and many rugby matches.

“The sweetest trips were to watch Órla running. He was incredibly proud

of all Órla achieved on the track. We all were. This culminated with

her competing in the European Championships in Helsinki, with my mum

and dad in the stands. I can still hear him shouting ‘Come on O',

perfectly in my mind,” said John Jr.

Órla also spoke at the funeral Mass and thanked the many who helped and

cared for her father since he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

The last person she thanked was her mum.

“She was my dad’s whole world since he met her. She kept the show on

the road and dad’s show on the road for the last 50 years. On behalf of

myself, Johnny and Darina, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,”

said Órla, to warm applause.

The Mass was celebrated by Mr Drumm’s brother, Fr Michael Drumm, and

concelebrated by another brother, Fr Eugene Drumm, with Canon John

O’Shea, Fr Richie Davern, Canon Donal McNamara, Fr Tom Mangan, Fr Tom

Ryan and Fr John Carroll.

Fr Michael said it is obviously a very sad occasion in one sense but

also a day full of memories, appreciation and thanksgiving.

“We come to honour a man who has made a tremendous contribution to

Limerick - a truly dedicated medical professional," said Fr Michael.

READ MORE: Limerick man honoured for his 60 years of service with Civil

Defence

Brendan Drumm, another brother and former HSE chief executive, recited

the Physician’s Prayer and welcomed the gifts to the altar which

included a scalpel and a rugby ball. Mr Drumm loved the game and

brought the first rugby ball to Manorhamilton.

Brendan said his brother's incredible skill as a surgeon was more than

matched by his compassion for his patients' care outside of the

theatre.

Fr Davern, in his homily, said his friendship with Mr Drumm was one of

the most beautiful he has ever been blessed to experience in life.

“He had a deep faith and embraced mystery as part of life. Could there

be any more cruel mystery for someone to internalise than having given

your intellect and your life’s work to fix broken bodies that he

himself was struck with one of the most merciless illnesses in the

medical world. He never asked why,” said Fr Davern, who was inspired by

Charlie Bird climbing Croagh Patrick, to climb Knockfierna with Mr

Drumm. He and many supporters reached the summit and raised almost

€50,000 for charity.

Fr Davern concluded his homily with a poem by Maya Angelou called When

Great Trees Fall. Its last two lines are - ‘We can be. Be and be

better. For they existed’.

“John, we will be and be better because you existed. John, my dear,

dear friend, rest now in peace - you have so richly earned and

deserve.”