Wally Forde joined ECSSA in 1998, having spent the previous forty years with ESB in Galway.
From the outset he proved popular and was held in high regard by his fellow inspectors, by the directors and staff of ECSSA, and by those contractors with whom he came into contact in the ECSSA Western Region.
On Jimmy Leahy’s retirement as Chief Inspector two years ago, Wally was the unanimous choice as his successor.
When contractors became aware that Wally intended to retire at the end of 2007 the expressions of loss and regret were both genuine and universal. To contractors, Wally had become a patient listener, a much valued source of advice and, above all, a good friend. A perfectionist in his attention to detail, Wally never tolerated a dilution of standards, yet he possessed that very human quality of realising that you can more effectively improve performance by advice and encouragement, rather than by criticism and sanctions.
His unfailing courtesy to contractors, inspectors and staff at ECSSA will always be remembered.
A presentation to mark his retirement was made by his fellow inspectors at their meeting in Killarney on November 23rd and, on the following day, at the annual get together of Inspectors, Directors and Staff a further presentation was made to thank Wally for his nine years of dedicated service to the ECSSA.
We wish Wally and Carmel many years of healthy and happy retirement and look forward to welcoming them to ECSSA whenever they find themselves in the Killarney area in the years ahead.