May June 2020 Electric.ie Magazine

ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 63 Obituary ‒ An Industry Legend - Richard Nolan (Charles Nolan & Co. (I) Ltd) passed away peacefully on 1st. March 2020. H is long and successful career within the Irish Electrical industry began in 1962, when Richard was obliged to take over the family business following the sudden death of his father. Aged just twenty two and with only two years’ experience of working in the firm Richard set about changing the company, which had been founded in 1936, from just acting as a commission agent, to becoming a stock holding distributor. The business thrived in the growing industry. ‘Charles Nolan &Co’ became a major sole agent and distributor for leading brands. Richard travelled Europe and beyond in search of new agencies to bring to the Irish market. He successfully secured distribution for Hager, Santon, Linolite, Clipsal, Fillippi, Cellpack, Decoduct and Beghelli to mention a few. He also travelled to all the Electrical Wholesalers in the Republic selling these products and built loyalty from all for his ‘wholesaler only’ sales policy. It wasn't all travel. He found time to represent his Industry as President of EMDA on two separate occasions. He also loved to sponsor a highly successful annual EIGSI Golf outing in Royal Dublin. On a more local level, when a staff member asked Richard for a donation to bring a special needs child to Lourdes, Richard replied “I will cover the total cost of the trip” He was also an avid sailor in Dun Laoghaire and a sometime pilot, but above all he was a family man, who delighted in his wife and children. He is sadly missed by his extensive family. He was a quiet man, who went about his work and never liked attention or limelight. He was a good man to have an argument with, but no matter what the outcome Richard never held a grudge. During Richard's time the Industry saw huge change. When he started there were about 12 Electrical Wholesalers. That quickly changed, and Richard's attitude to any new Wholesaler was "give them an account" we all had to start. The trade has lost a great talent, Richard gave his life to the Industry for sixty years. Thank you for your amazing contribution. God bless you Richard. May you rest in peace. Pat McCann Richard E Nolan 1940 – 2020 Richard (Dick) Murray 1936 – 2020 D ick Murray was a member of the EIGSI since 1981. For many years he was their hon. secretary. He passed away on April 15th 2020 and will be sadly missed by his wife Maureen and his three daughters Mary (O’Brien), Roisin and Grainne (Plaxton) as well as his sons-in-law Tommy and Rick, his grandchildren Kevin, Aine, Eamonn, Alex and Matthew, his brothers Mick and Joe, all his extended family, lifelong friends and neighbours as well as his fellow EIGSI golfers. He spent all of his working life in the electrical industry. He worked mostly in retail for many years and also worked for himself. Rest in peace Paddy Fitzpatrick