When I was asked to write a eulogy on my colleague and friend Mark Hogan, I
was hesitant to comply with the request. Mark himself was adverse to praise. He
always felt that if one were asked to complete a task he or she should do it to the
best of his or her ability and not expect any plaudits. A sense of achievement
was the best reward.
Mark started teaching in Ennistymon CBS in September 1970 and was loved by
both pupils and teachers alike. I started there as a student in September 1971
and Mark taught me English and Latin. He later added Geography to this list.
Who will ever forget his wonderful appraisal of the Latin syllabus with his
expression of 'mensa, mensa, me arse!'
Mark had a wonderful warm wit and if he had to write a line on his passing
you could imagine him saying the following: 'It pains me to admit it, but
apparently, I have have passed away' or once again I didn't get things my way.'
So...I was born; I blinked; and it was over. No buildings named after me; no
monuments erected in my honour, no statue erected outside Ennistymon CBS.
They even took my photo off the wall. His favourite quote was 'I was sick and
ye didn't believe me'
Mark had often taught Shakespeare's Othello in class and he would have been
very familiar with the following quote and now 'Sparky' we can apply that
same quote to your good self 'I have done the state some service and they know
it. No more of that'
All his past pupils, friends and colleagues will miss his wit, poetic works, kind
nature, meticulous organised ways, being a snappy dresser with a lingering
waft of aftershave and all these qualities peppered with great charisma and
charm.
To his wife Anne, daughter Julieanne, son Leo and his grandchildren Molly
and Jack we offer you our sincere condolences.
All those exam papers, all those deadlines, all those classes and now you have
reached the final deadline. Rest easy kind friend, you may be gone but you will
never be forgotten. We are all the poorer for your passing. 'Requiescat in Pace'
Gerry Sexton