Tributes paid to Foyle Hospice founder and local icon Dr. Tom McGinley

The Gweedore native, who passed away on Thursday, was described as a ‘true visionary.’

Mrs. Angela McIntyre, chairperson said: “It is a very sad day for Foyle Hospice, the Hospice was Tom’s dream as a result of caring for a young patient. The opening of the hospice has over the years made a huge contribution to the lives of thousands of people in this city across and the wider North West area. We are honoured to continue his legacy of caring for our patients and their families.”

Dr. McGinley was not only a colleague and mentor to staff over the years but a friend and confidante to many patients and families who have engaged with the organisation since it was first established in 1985, the hospice said.

He was a true visionary and the Foyle Hospice was a labour of love and now stands firm as his legacy to the city, the palliative care centre acknowledged in a statement.

“We will forever be indebted to him for his sheer grit and determination. We hope we do him proud in continuing to deliver the high quality and standard of care that he was exceptionally passionate about,” it stated.

Sincere sympathies were extended to his children Ciaran, Aisling, Ronan, Sinead, and the wider family circle.

Dr. McGinley founded the much-loved palliative care centre after being moved by a visit to an 18 year old man who was dying of terminal cancer.

A small steering committee was set up in 1984 to fundraise. The hospice has been operating since 1985 and has provided invaluable end-of-life care to countless numbers of terminally ill citizens in the north west over the past four decades.

His incredible contribution to health care locally saw him recognised many times.

He received a papal knighthood from Pope John Paul II in 2002, was awarded the Freedom of the City in 2013, and has been honoured alongside Amelia Earhart and Francis Ledwidge with a sculpture in St. Columb’s Park.