Dr. Tom McGinley 1934-2021: An extraordinary human being, a great humanitarian who leaves an exemplary legacy of medicine and care without borders or exclusions

The Foyle Hospice founder passed away at the age of 86 last Thursday.

President Higgins said: “The death of Dr. Tom McGinley will have been heard of with great sadness by so many.

“It is the passing of an extraordinary human being, a great humanitarian who leaves an exemplary legacy of medicine and care without borders or exclusions.

“The contribution to that legacy by those of different affiliations is a tribute to the breadth and generosity of Dr. McGinley’s vision, and the great respect and affection with which his name will be recalled.”

President Michael D. Higgins pays tribute to Dr. Tom McGinley ‘an extraordinary human being’ who left ‘exemplary legacy’

President Higgins said the Foyle Hospice was an example of what can be done together in medicine and in offering care.

“This achievement, the establishment of the Hospice, was just one part of the contribution of a dedicated doctor committed to his community.

“Dr. Tom McGinley’s birth in the United States and his return to Donegal is the story of a wonderful migration and the culture attached to it.

“His life and experience is an example of the respect for language, all languages. He exercised that respect with an admirable wisdom, kindness and judgment.

“Sabina and I would like to offer our sincere condolences to his children Ciarán, Aisling, Ronán, Sinéad, to his wider family circle, his many friends and all those whose lives he has touched with such grace over the years,” he said.

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

The Foyle Hospice, the Derry institution to which he devoted his life, said he was 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 and across 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.

Mayor Brian Tierney opens book of condolence for Dr. Tom McGinley

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane Brian Tierney has opened an online book of condolence in memory of Dr. McGinley.

He observed: “It was after an encounter with a young man with terminal cancer that Dr. McGinley pursued the idea of opening a palliative care facility in the city, and we are all immensely grateful for his determination, dedication and passion in following through and opening the Foyle Hospice.”

The Mayor said that by establishing the Foyle Hospice he had bestowed an incredible gift to the city.

“Dr. McGinley has left a legacy on this city and its people that will last for generations to come and we know that his vision will continue to be delivered by the hard-working team at Foyle Hospice.

“The Freedom of Derry was one of many deserving honours that Dr. McGinley received but for him that’s not what it was about – he wanted to help as many people and as many families as he could through some of their toughest days.

“My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. McGinley’s children, his wider family circle and his many friends. I hope that they can take some comfort in knowing how deeply loved and appreciated he was by all across this city, district and region.”

To sign the online Book of Condolence, visit https://www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Mayor/Mayors-Book-of-Condolences/Book-of-Condolence-for-Dr-Tom-McGinley

Eastwood tribute to ‘inspirational’ Dr McGinley

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said: “I am sorry to learn of the passing of Dr. McGinley who was well known in Derry and the North West over many years for his work in leading the founding of the Foyle Hospice.

“His compassion for those who were ill has touched many families throughout the years. His work continues to inspire others today to care for those in need and his legacy will endure long into the future.

“In recent times, Dr. McGinley has been honoured for his tireless work in caring for those in need. He is a recipient of the Freedom of Derry City as well as a Papal knighthood in recognition of his selfless work in the Hospice.

“My thoughts are with his family and those involved in the Foyle Hospice at this time as they mourn his passing and celebrate all he has contributed to our city and the North West.”

Dr. Tom McGinley will be ‘sadly missed’ and ‘fondly remembered’ by the people of Derry and Donegal

Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan said: “I was saddened to hear of the death of founder of the Foyle Hospice, Dr. Tom McGinley. Tom was a well known figure in Derry for many years through his work as a doctor and then when he founded the Foyle Hospice, providing care to families at very difficult times.

“He was also a familiar figure running the roads of the city for many years as a keen jogger.

“Tom McGinley will be sadly missed by all who knew him and I send my sympathies to his family both in Derry and Donegal and all his friends and loved ones.”

UUP Alderman Darren Guy, whose father Jim served as Mayor of Derry when the hospice was in its formative years, said: “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Tom McGinley.

“On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, and indeed my own family I would like to pass on our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to Dr. McGinley’s entire family. My own father was a great proponent of Dr. McGinley setting up the Foyle Hospice and assisted in the acquiring of land to build the Hospice upon.

“Dr. McGinley will always be remembered fondly by everyone in our city.”

Archbishop Eamon Martin said: “You had a vision - that at the end of life everyone might cross over with dignity, surrounded by love. Your faith and determination inspired a whole community to help accomplish the vision.

“Rest in peace, Dr. Tom McGinley. May God reward you.”

Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Andrew Forster says Dr. Tom McGinley bequeathed a tangible monument in the Foyle Hospice

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt. Rev Andrew Forster said that although he may not have met Dr. Tom McGinley in person he was acutely aware of his legacy and achievements.

He said the late medic had left a lasting monument to the people of Derry and Donegal in the Foyle Hospice.

“It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of Dr Tom McGinley. I never had the pleasure or the privilege of meeting Tom or of getting to know him, but I certainly know of his achievements.

“Tom was a man of vision; more importantly, he was a man of action, who used his considerable gifts for the benefit of all. When he first conceived of the Foyle Hospice, many years ago, it seemed almost unimaginable. Now, it is an indispensable part of the fabric of this community.

“The Foyle Hospice is a wonderful and tangible monument to a great man, but the enduring gratitude of this whole community will prove an equally significant part of Dr. McGinley’s towering legacy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Derry GP Dr. John O’Kelly said: “My former partner Dr. Tom McGinley RIP not only founded the Foyle Hospice, he was a GP for many years in Derry serving the patients of Aberfoyle Medical Practice. Was fortunate to have him, Peter Fallon and Vincent Cavanagh as mentors. Giants of general practice.”

Born in Brooklyn, New York, on Boxing Day, 1934, Dr. McGinley grew up in Gweedore and was educated in Derrybeg and on Gola island and later at St. Eunan’s College in Letterkenny.

Like many from the west Donegal gaeltacht he worked for a time in Glasgow before studying in Galway.

A talented footballer he represented Donegal at inter-county level.

He practised medicine in Ballinasloe before moving to Derry and he met his wife-to-be Deirdre at Borderland in Muff in 1962.

He worked at Altnagelvin Hospital and later joined the Aberfoyle GP practice. He became the first GP in Ireland to qualify as an anaesthetist.

Dr. McGinley founded the Foyle Hospice 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 city and district over the past four decades. He famously obtained the land for the Foyle Hospice’s current premises from the Orange Order. His incredible contribution to health care in Derry saw him recognised many times over. He was named Donegal Person of the Year in 1990, received an Irish People of the Year Award in 1992, was the recipient of a Papal knighthood from Pope John Paul II in 2002, was awarded the Freedom of Derry in 2013, and has been honoured alongside Amelia Earhart and Francis Ledwidge with a sculpture in St. Columb’s Park.

He was predeceased by his wife Deirdre and is mourned by his children Ciarán, Aisling, Ronán and Sinéad, his grandchildren Kevin, Christina, Ciara, Conor, Cormac, Tom and Molly, and his siblings Bríd and Packie.