When Tony McGettigan was elected president of the Law Society in 1993, it was a particularly proud day for the west Belfast man and his family.
Growing up on the Falls Road in the ‘hungry thirties’, he was deeply conscious of the sacrifices his parents made to give their eight children the best chance in life.
As a young boy, he recalled being sent to the pawn shop with his father’s suit so there would be food on the table that week.
And although he earned a scholarship to attend St Malachy’s College, he left at 14 so that he could bring home another wage.
Tony would recall his first day in Mackies, being terrified at the size and noise of the factory machines. He would later work in the shipyard, printworks, as a roofer, and even as a bus conductor in London.
All these experiences helped explain why he was such a passionate defender of the underprivileged throughout his life.
He became involved in the development of the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, drawing inspiration from the peaceful protests for change in the US.
He was also a committed trade unionist, and it was in the course of representing workers that he made the decision to pursue a career in law.
Two solicitors he encountered at a meeting had been contemporaries at school and Tony knew he was just as capable as them. From that day, he was determined that nothing would stop him qualifying and using his skills to help others.
Having turned down a place at Cambridge University, he was admitted to the roll of solicitors in 1975. An opportunity then arose at PJ Flanagan & Co in Enniskillen, where he would remain as its principal solicitor for the remainder of his career.
His funeral at St Peter’s Cathedral in west Belfast heard how he was a stickler for detail and dedicated himself to his clients, continuing to work full-time until the age of 86 and contributing as a partner until last year.
“He would do everything in his power to help people in their legal hour of need,” Fr Martin Graham said.
“Being a solicitor wasn’t a job to Tony, it was his vocation, it was his calling. He cared deeply about his clients and his staff.”
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Darren Toombs, president of the Law Society, said: “Tony was well respected amongst his colleagues as a man of great humour, compassion and commitment to his profession. He will be remembered fondly and missed by many.”
By the time he became a solicitor Tony had married Anne Blaney, who he had met at dances on the Falls. She was from Oakman Street, he from St James’ Road.
They were a devoted couple – “soulmates and best friends” – and were due to celebrate their 67th anniversary this summer.
They made their home in west Belfast initially before relocating to Enniskillen with their son, Christopher. He would in due course work side-by-side with his father.
As well as being a loving husband and devoted father, Tony also took special care of his nieces and nephews in the Carbery family following the death of their father. He loved them and treated them like his own.
He was also popular throughout the town for his easy charm and sense of humour. A man with a way with words, he taught himself Irish and French and loved to speak Latin or Greek to members of the clergy.
Tony always said he wanted to live to 100 to claim the centenarian bounty from the president and telegram from the king.
Being a solicitor wasn’t a job to Tony, it was his vocation, it was his calling. He cared deeply about his clients and his staff
— Fr Martin Graham
Sadly that didn’t happen, but following his death on June 12, his story appropriately turned full circle when he was brought back to St Peter’s, the place of his baptism almost exactly 89 years earlier, for Requiem Mass.
The Mass was concelebrated by his friend Fr Brian D’Arcy, underneath a painting of the crucifixion by his son that hangs beside the altar.
Tony McGettigan is survived by his heartbroken wife Anne, son Christopher, daughter-in-law Sharon, family circle and many friends.