RIP Peter Crossan Area 4

RIP Peter Crossan (Area 4)

All members of Area 4 ETTA were saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Crossan, Fahoro, Moyne, Co Longford on June 21st 2020 peacefully at the Laurel Lodge Nursing Home Longford. Peter was born in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim in 1950. He attended the National and Second level Schools in Ballinamore.

Peter completed a five year apprenticeship in Prior”s Garage Ballinamore as a motor Mechanic. He later qualified from the Teacher Training Course in the College of Technology, Bolton Street, Dublin where he qualified as Teacher of Metalwork and Technology.

Peter”s teaching career began in Moyne Community School Co Longford in 1974 where he taught Metalwork, Engineering and Technical Drawing until his retirement in 2013. Peter also taught night classes in motor car and tractor maintenance. He worked for the State Examination Commission correcting Leaving Certificate Engineering projects and as advising examiner for Junior Certificate Metalwork projects. Whether in the classroom teaching the subjects he loved, on the football pitch where he trained and coached so many school teams or simply on the corridor sharing a kind word of encouragement, Peter was a friend and mentor to generations of pupils and staff who got to know him as a friend.

Peter was a valued member of Area four ETTA since its foundation in the early eighties and was Treasurer of Area 4 for over twenty years. He was also a member of the organizing committee for ETTA”s National Conference in 1999 and 2011. A man of wit and fun he was to his colleagues a tower of great support, help and advice. His death is a great loss to education and to his colleagues.

Personally, I first met Peter when I had the privilege of doing my teaching practice in Moyne Community School in 1977. Peter gave me some valuable advice and as Peter and I would make our way to the staff room for lunch he had a word of advice and encouragement to many students as we walked along the corridor. Peter had the respect of every single student. He never demanded it, he treated every student with respect and it was reciprocated. The many colleagues and past pupils I spoke to since his passing all mentioned the word “ gentleman” he was certainly one of life”s gentlemen.

The attendance at his funeral was testimony to the esteem in which Peter was held.

Ar dheis De go raibh se.

John Joe Mc Guinness