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Tributes pour in for dad-of-four after tragic death on family holiday
Michael Grant tragically died of cardiac arrest
The late Michael Grant
Reporter:
Reporter
15 Jul 2024 2:45 PM
Tributes have been pouring in for a Waterford man who tragically died while on holiday.
Michael Grant was on holiday with his family when he tragically died of a cardiac arrest on Monday, July 1, leaving behind his wife Leanne and four children, Kayley, Niamh, Shay and Sofia.
A physiotherapist and the founder of St Joseph's Juvenile Academy, Michael was well known and highly regarded in the Waterford community.
Since the tragic news broke out, tributes have been pouring in for the Waterford man, who was laid to rest on July 12.
"The late Michael Grant was laid to rest yesterday and as I listened to the heartbreaking but wonderful words of his wife Leanne, his daughter Niamh, Eoin Fanning from MountSion Gaa and James Manning from St Josephs FC Waterford in the Holy Family Church, I asked myself do we really appreciate the wonderful work that volunteers like Michael and many others up and down the country do on a weekly basis to keep our own local clubs in all sports going. Michael worked as a physiotherapist, but I feel his best work was done in the backrooms and on the sidelines of the many clubs he was associated with over the years of his short life.
"Michael was one of those people that just went and did it, no questions asked, if something needed doing, he did it. I knew him through both the GAA and soccer circles. Eoin Fanning from Mount Sion GAA Club gave the whole congregation at his funeral a sense of what so many “Michael's” do in every club, his eulogy was just a testament to the fantastic legacy that he has left behind, the memories, the friendships, the grief and heartache of his wife and four wonderful children, the sense of loss was really palpable yesterday and his lifelong friend James Manning from St. Joseph's FC also spoke of the great friend he was to everyone in the club, how he was always there, his vision for the club and everything else that was good in a person," paid a friend in tribute.
"The huge turnout at his funeral mass, the crowds that turned up as his funeral cortege walked up Barrack Street, one of the biggest I have witnessed, were all just a testament to the kind, loving, hardworking person that Michael was. St.Joseph’s FC has been particularly hit with tragedy over the last few years, we all remember the late John “Bubbles” Grant, Derek Power, Albert Burke and now Michael Grant joins those great people that were all taken too soon over the last few years.
May Michael Rest in Peace and my condolences to his family, his wife Leanne, daughters Kayleigh, Niamh and Sofia, his son Shay and the whole extended family and friends of this lovely person. You will be sorely missed," they continued.
A Go Fund Me was set up to raise money for his heartbroken family after it was discovered Michael's life insurance policy had lapsed.
An explainer on the fundraising page reads: "Michael unfortunately had left his life insurance policy lapse recently. We found he had a note in his diary to finalise securing his family's future for July 18 with his bank, a meeting he never got to attend."
According to fundraiser organiser Deborah Grant, Michael served many clients including newborn babies from Waterford and beyond in his job as a physiotherapist, often without charging fees.
The fundraiser has managed to raise over 60k in two days, which is five times the initial goal of €10,000. You can donate to the fundraiser here.
May he rest in peace.
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