Born: May 28th, 1943
Died: October 17th, 2022
Rarely does one person leave a legacy that has not only impacted already on the lives of hundreds of families and individuals across Ireland, but will continue to impact on many more in the generations to come. But this is exactly the case for Michael Greene.
Born and raised in Griffith Avenue, Dublin, Michael Greene was the youngest of eight children. His mother was Connie and his father was Séamus Ó Grianna (1889 –1969), a writer, known locally as “Jimmy Fheilimidh” and publishing under the pseudonym “Máire”.
Michael attended multiple schools (five to be precise) until he found the one that he liked – Chanel College. He always said Chanel gave him a very liberal education. Michael spent many happy years in Chanel and then subsequently moved onto college where he completed a Bachelor of Commerce in UCD.
In 1968 he joined the Construction Industry federation (CIF) and spent 10 years representing that industry.
In 1978, at 36, he recognised the necessity for a form of guarantee scheme and steered the National House Building Guarantee Scheme into existence, now HomeBond. This provides insurance for all houses built and registered with the company and has been of great service to both house purchasers and builders alike.
Michael met the great love of his life, Marie, in Glasnevin Tennis Club in 1962 and they married in Marino Church on Griffith Avenue in 1968. They welcomed four children together and the family settled in Raheny, Co Dublin.
Throughout his working life Michael always knew the importance of self-development and prior to the establishment of Homebond he took it upon himself to get a law degree and was called to the bar in 1975. His education didn’t stop there and nine years later he boarded a plane bound for America where he completed a management course in Harvard University to hone his management skills. This, he said, was of benefit to him, but also brought friendships which stayed with him.
Michael earned the respect, the confidence and trust of those who worked with him.
In 1996, it was the sudden death of his son, Peter, at 16 years of age, which brought Michael to one of his greatest lifetime achievements – the establishment of CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young – in Ireland.
For Michael and Marie, with Peter’s untimely death came the realisation that there was no awareness of the incidence of sudden death in the young in Ireland nor was there an adequate or appropriate bereavement counselling service.
It was to remedy this situation that they set up CRY.
With its state-of-the-art clinic in Tallaght Hospital, CRY provides a free screening service. Its bereavement and counselling services now extend throughout the island. Through the foundation of CRY Ireland, hundreds of families have been supported in their darkest and most difficult days.
Michael revelled in Irish success on the sports field and never more so than when his beloved Munster was playing.
He was a 20-year ticket holder for international rugby matches and enjoyed nothing more than attending or watching games in his spare time.
His interest in sports brought him later to try his hand at golf. Golf, however, was not his calling, but this did not stop him from approaching the game with his customary determination.
Music was also a big part of Michael’s life. He owned three guitars and was trained to grade eight in classical guitar music. His repertoire included many of John Denver’s folk classics.
Michael had a strong faith. He spoke of attending 12 o’clock Mass at the Carmelite Church at Clarendon Street (where he remarked that the singing was particularly good). He spoke also of assisting at Masses at Trinity College Chapel.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, including his four grandchildren (Dara, Oscar, Gemima and Eliza). Some of his happiest memories were made in the family holiday home in Fenit, Co Kerry, where they spent many Christmas, New Year, Easter and summer holidays. Right up until his death at 79, Michael enjoyed the simple pleasures in life – a glass of wine and the good company of his many friends and neighbours,
He will be sadly missed by Marie, and his three surviving children Julie, David and Kenneth.
Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.