George Hetherington, who died on November 21st aged 85, combined a long career in Dublin printing and newspaper publishing with artistic pursuits including poetry and painting. An acknowledged expert in printing and design, he spent almost 40 years with the well-known printing firm of Hely's where he became a joint managing director. For 20 years he was associated closely with The Irish Times, as a shareholder, director and joint managing director.
He was born in Dublin on June 15th, 1916. His father was a civil servant in the Post Office and was present in the GPO at Easter 1916 when it was occupied by the rebels, a fact which became a family joke. His father died a year later leaving his widow with three young children and in difficult economic circumstances. She emigrated to Canada with the two elder children leaving George to be reared by his uncle, Frank Lowe, and his wife.
His early education was at Baymount Preparatory School then in St Anne's, Raheny. He was subsequently sent to Bromsgrove Public School in the English midlands which he later confessed he "hated".
After serving a printing apprenticeship in London, he returned to Dublin and joined Hely's at its East Wall printing works. He married Frances Keller, daughter of the secretary of the company, Thomas Keohler, whose name became anglicised to Keller. The latter had been part of James Joyce's circle of friends and corresponded with him in the 1930s.
Thomas Keller was intrigued at the frequent references to Hely's in Ulysses and wondered if his working there had any connection with this. But Joyce provided no enlightenment. This correspondence and other literary items of Thomas Keller's, who was also a poet, are to be auctioned by Mealys of Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, next month.
George Hetherington was himself a poet and was highly regarded by other poets. He published one volume of verse entitled Delphi and other Poems. He was also a gifted painter in watercolours.
In 1954, he became a director of The Irish Times following the decision by the Arnott family to sell their shares to a group of Dublin businessmen who included George Hetherington and his uncle and former guardian, Frank Lowe. He caused something of a stir by going around the newspaper introducing himself as a director.
In 1959, he became a joint managing director of the newspaper with Douglas Gageby while retaining his managing director position at Hely's.
In May 1962, he relinquished his managing directorship of the newspaper due to pressure of other business but remained as a director of the company. In June 1962, following the dissolution of his marriage, he re-married in New York. This marriage was to Christine O'Brien (nΘe Foster) daughter of Alexander and Annie Foster from Ballinaclash, Co Wicklow. Christine O'Brien had divorced Dr Conor Cruise O'Brien the previous year.
In November 1962, George Hetherington was appointed a joint managing director of the recently merged Hely Thom Limited with responsibility for production and development. He retired from the company when it was taken over by the Smurfit organisation in 1972. In 1974, along with the other directors, he sold his shares in The Irish Times when it became a trust.
He now had the opportunity to devote more time to literature and enrolled as a mature student in Trinity College where he obtained a BA in French and English. It was a happy period for him as he mixed with students less than half his age.
He also had more time for his favourite outdoor recreation of sailing. He was proud of having introduced the Dragon class to Howth. Gardening was another outdoor hobby he greatly enjoyed.
He is survived by his wife Christine, daughter Lucy (McEwen) and stepchildren, Donal and Fidelma, from his wife's previous marriage. Another stepchild, Kate, died some years ago. He was also pre-deceased last year by his son Frank.
George Hetherington: born 1916; died, November 2001