TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to the former chairman of newspaper group Thomas Crosbie Holdings (TCH), George F Crosbie, who died in Kinsale yesterday aged 83.
Mr Crosbie, son of Commander George Crosbie, was lauded for his sporting and musical talents in addition to his successful business portfolio as chairman of Thomas Crosbie Holdings.
It now comprises 18 newspapers including the Irish Examiner and a host of regional titles including the Evening Echo, the Waterford News Star, the Western People, the Sligo Weekender and the Kingdom.
Thomas Crosbie Holdings holds the distinction of having the oldest family-owned daily newspaper in these islands. Its portfolio includes several radio interests and a media training centre in Cork.
Mr Crosbie stepped down as chairman of the company in 2001, following 50 years of service, having overseen profits at Examiner Publications rise from £254,129 in 1995 to £6 million in 2000, in the last five years of his service.
Born in Cork city in 1926, Mr Crosbie was educated at Clongowes Wood College and University College Cork, where he obtained a degree in commerce.
Mr Crosbie went on to serve on the boards of the Bank of Ireland, British Petroleum, Friends Provident, Munster Carpets and Harvey’s Printers in Waterford.
Well known in sporting circles nationally, he came to prominence in golfing circles in the late 1940s and went on to become a member of the Irish golf team and reached the final of the Irish Close on three successive occasions, from 1955 to 1957.
He served as captain of the Irish golf team, where he played a key role in advancing the careers of two of the most well-known names in Irish golfing circles today, Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinley.
Tributes to Mr Crosbie, who died in Haven Bay nursing home in Kinsale, Co Cork, were led yesterday by his first cousin Ted Crosbie, vice-chairman of Thomas Crosbie Holdings.
“George, his brother Donal and I formed a triumvirate, led by George, which saw the Examiner through its 150th year, in 1991. George was the leader of the team, as chairman of the company at the time, and he let us play our part,” Mr Crosbie said.
Lord Mayor of Cork Dara Murphy said Mr Crosbie’s contribution to Cork life was “magnificent”.
“The Crosbie family and the Examiner’s role in Cork life has been significant over many years,” Mr Murphy said. “George’s contribution from the points of view of sport, business and culture was truly magnificent. He will be greatly missed.”
Cork Chamber president Mr Ger O’Mahoney described Mr Crosbie as an “esteemed businessman of exceptional talent”.
During his tenure as chairman of Thomas Crosbie Holdings, he made an immense contribution to the city and was widely respected in Cork’s business community,” Mr O’Mahoney continued, “as is evident from the number of directorships which he held.
“Mr Crosbie helped to build TCH into one of the largest companies in Ireland with its headquarters located in the city centre. He has always been hugely supportive of the city and Cork Chamber for which we are truly grateful.
“George will be remembered as a great mentor across the country’s business, sport and music circles. Our thoughts go to his wife Joan, his children and family to whom we offer our most sincere sympathy,” Mr O’Mahoney said.
Mr Crosbie is survived by his wife Joan and their eight children Anne, Jean, Alan, Susan, Patricia, Una, Paul and Phillip, 16 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Removal from Gabriel O’Donovan’s Funeral Home, Kinsale, takes place next Tuesday at 6.30pm to St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale.
Requiem Mass takes place on Wednesday at 11am, followed by private cremation.