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Nursing stalwart was a 'gentleman to his fingertips'

16/ 1/2008

A STALWART of the NHS has been fondly remembered by a friend and colleague following his death at 80.

Edmund O’Callaghan, known to friends as ‘Eddie’, of Charter Street, Lowerplace, was a nurse in Rochdale for many years before retiring in 1982.

Bernard McDevitt, who worked under Mr O’Callaghan as an area nurse said: “Eddie was a gentleman to his fingertips and with his laughing Irish eyes had an impish sense of humour. His laugh was such that it could be heard back in his native Ireland.

“Eddie was an excellent boss to work for and a dear friend to many in the NHS.”

Mr O’Callaghan was born in the village of Cloghenn, County Tipperary, and was the eldest of three sons. Coming to England in 1947 Mr O’Callaghan met his future wife, Doreen, while training in Ipswich.

He was later appointed as a theatre charge nurse in Rochdale.

After undertaking a nurse tutors course at Battersea College and employment in Oldham, Mr O’Callaghan returned to Rochdale as a chief nursing officer and then area nursing officer in the 1970s.

Mr McDevitt added: “Each post Eddie occupied he did so with great professional dignity and aplomb. His priority was always the quality of patient care and the quality of education for the nurse, midwife or health visitor who delivered that care.”

Mr O’Callaghan was actively involved in the Rochdale community as a magistrate, a school governor and was a member of Holy Family Church, Kirkholt.

He is survived by his wife, daughters Maria and Bernadette, son Paul and nine grandchildren.