IN the early hours of Tuesday May 3, one of Limerick’s foremost property developers, Mr Sean Cox (76), passed away at his home in Castletroy after a short illness.
A widower for the last four years following the death of his wife Ailish (née Magner), Mr Cox leaves behind three daughters, Helen, Aoife and Elizabeth and son John, their partners, and grandchildren Charlie and Millie. He is survived by his sister Mary and brother Seamus.
Always a large, imposing man, Mr Cox led a vibrant life until the end. Cox Construction, which he shared with John, survived the recessionary 1980s to build Cherrydale on the Dublin Road and upmarket Castleville on Golf Links Road, also Wellesley Close and Strand Court beside the River Shannon.
“Sean left his monument all over town with this style of build, notably redbrick,” observes Seamus Flynn, longstanding friend. “I was in partnership with him for the Theatre Royal and he took on the restoration of that project, cornices and decorative elements and so on. He researched what he could to inform working on the central Grecian domes, their colours and materials, so that The Athenaeum could retain its character but function well as a film/ TV making space”.
Eastway Business Park and Leahy & Partners opposite People’s Park were modern commercial flagships.
He also set up Limerick Motor Club as a shared platform.
Sean Cox, Seamus Flynn and Limerick Post founder Billy Ryan were core to the Thursday Club who meet weekly for a round table of good food and cheer. Thursday Club includes David Lehane, Aidan O’Connell, Michael Duffy and when in town, Pat Delaney; those gone to their rest are Hector Newenham and Padraig O’Connor.
Sean was linchpin for four decades, missing only last week. Defined by his love of friends, family, vintage cars (driving a Bentley S1 Continental), and according to John, “all things to do with Waterville in Derrynane, County Kerry”, he will be missed for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the world and his enthusiasm.
Billy Ryan spoke of Sean’s sharp mind and “his ability to recall precise details when relating stories of bygone days. He was entertaining to listen to and respectful of the views of others. A good friend, I will miss him greatly”.
His remains will be at the family home, Teach na Gaoithe on Golf Links Road, this Thursday May 5th from 5pm to 8pm, with his funeral mass is on Friday 6th at 11am in Monaleen Church. Sean Cox will be laid to rest beside his wife Ailish in Abington Church, Murroe.
