Ben Gavin: BEN GAVIN, who has died aged 51, was a former chairman of the State-owned Port of Waterford Company and a Fianna Fáil town councillor in the seaside resort of Tramore.
Having previously served as a harbour commissioner, he was appointed chairman of the board in December 1998 and served for more than 10 years until stepping down in May this year.
During his 10-year tenure he oversaw the final transfer of the port’s facilities from the city centre docks in Waterford to a new container terminal at Belview, downriver in Co Kilkenny.
But the highlight of his term of office was securing the international Tall Ships’ Races for Waterford. The success of that event has resulted in the organisers agreeing to return the races to Waterford in 2011.
Despite the relocation of the port, he advocated the retention of traditional maritime activity in the city centre and marketed Waterford as a destination for cruise ships. He also helped resolve legal issues to enable a land bank on the city’s North Quays to become available for planned redevelopment and twice served as chairman of the Irish Ports Association, the industry’s representative body.
Mr Gavin had a lifelong interest in politics and was elected as a member of the Tramore Town Commissioners in 1994 when he headed the poll. He was subsequently re-elected in 1999 and again in 2004 to the re-named Tramore Town Council but did not seek re-election last June.
Over the years, his political affiliations shifted. Although he was actively involved with the Progressive Democrats in Waterford during the early 1990s, he ran for election as an Independent and later joined Fianna Fáil.
In 2001, he co-ordinated fund-raising efforts for Camp Dreamland, which provided a five-day holiday in Tramore for 400 sick children. During his term as mayor of Tramore, he had to defend the resort's reputation during a period of unwelcome national media attention following complaints by tourists of sewage leaks and litter on the famous beach and a claim by the travel guide Lonely Planetthat the resort was "tacky".
On a happier note, in June 2003, he hosted a civic reception for the 38-strong Filipino delegation to the Special Olympics World Games who were billeted in the town and was pleased by the remarks of Carmelita Almendrala who expressed her gratitude for the welcome: “We heard that the Irish people are known for their great hospitality and kindness of heart but what we have experienced has surpassed our greatest expectations.”
Mr Gavin was a well-known figure in Waterford city and in his native Tramore. Away from politics and business, he presented a weekly religious affairs programme, Credoon the local radio station, WLR FM, and was a keen and proficient cook who enjoyed entertaining at his home.
Ben Gavin died, following a short illness, on Thursday morning at Waterford Regional Hospital. He is survived by his wife Breda, son Shane, daughters Aoife and Jenna; his parents, a brother and two sisters.
Ben Gavin born March 8th, 1958; died August 27th, 2009