Maurice Greene turned 47 last June, just before his cancer was diagnosed. He approached his death with an immense courage. He was an only child and has been outlived by his parents. His childhood was spent in Clara in Offaly, where he developed his aptitude for horsemanship.
He attended Sandford Park secondary school, in Ranelagh, Dublin, where he was a boarder and represented the school at hockey, rugby and golf. He served in the FCA in the late 1960s and protected "key terrorist targets such as the Finglas ESB station and the Ringsend Pumping station".
Although he had a leaning towards a military career and was accepted in the Curragh Cadets, he chose initially to study accountancy but unable to stand the excitement of that profession, instead, he joined James Adam on St Stephen's Green and it was there that he met his wife to be, Katie. He studied auctioneering in Rathmines and became a Fellow of the IAVI and the RICS.
In 1974 Maurice joined MEPC Ireland, the property and shopping centre developer. His career path progressed rapidly and the commercial success in his life was set, as MEPC Ireland was acquired by the Merchant Navy Pension Fund and became Dublin City Properties.
In the early 1980s Maurice took charge, ultimately leading to the company's absorption into the appropriately named Green Property Plc, where he became development director.
During that 20 year period, he undertook many projects, including the acquisition and development of the Woolworth portfolio throughout Ireland and business park developments such as Westgate and Fonthill. However, the project in which he took the greatest pride and with good reason was Blanchardstown Shopping Centre which stands as a tribute to him.
About 1980, he was appointed a trustee of Dublin Savings Bank and since then, participated actively in its mergers with the Cork and Waterford Savings Banks.
A few weeks ago, although by this time very ill, he made a supreme effort to attend the TSB trustees meeting which resolved the merger with ACC Bank. He was exceptionally honoured to be invited to join the new board but saddened in the knowledge that he would not live to take up the position.
He was a keen farmer, horse and cattle dealer and an active participant of The Ward Union Hunt serving as secretary and treasurer for seven years. His eagerness for the hunt was matched equally by his participation in the debriefing afterwards in whatever hostelry was near.
He embraced skiing with the same enthusiasm and spent many exhilarating days and hilarious nights at various European resorts, leaving his companions with an array of memorable moments.
He had an exceptional sense of humour and was a master of the two liner, delivered frequently with barb and perfect timing and his easily distinguishable hearty laugh always announced his arrival.
He was rector's warden in his parish church, St Seachnall's, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, and served for a period as the bishop's nominee governor for Multyfarnham school.
The arrival of a son, Charles, some nine years into his marriage brought a new dimension and joy to his life. There was further excitement with the subsequent births of two more sons, Harry and Mark, and their daily activities and devilment gave him immense pleasure.
In Katie, he had a wonderful wife. They were well matched, with complementary personalities and his dedication to her in the last few days of his life left no room to doubt the love and partnership which existed between them.
He demanded little from his friends except loyalty and honesty and those who came into contact with him were enriched by his friendship and their lives enhanced by his humour and wit.
Maurice died in the serene care of the Home Hospice Unit on Friday 29th January at home, peacefully and with dignity.
We are the poorer of his passing.
