Micheal Cranitch, who died at his home in Rathduff, Co Cork, on November 23rd, was for several years a highly respected member of the Seanad and served as Cathaoirleach from January to June, 1973.
Born in December 1912, he would have celebrated his 87th birthday on Christmas Eve. During a long and varied career, he made his mark as a sportsman, schoolteacher, politician, musician, and he had a keen interest in the Irish language.
He married Kathleen Linehan in July, 1945, and both were teachers at Rathduff National School, retiring on the same day in June, 1978. His sporting career began when he played hurling with University College, Cork, and he maintained a lifelong interest in the GAA as a member of his local Grenagh club. He was chairman of Cork County Library Committee, a member of the Cork Orchestral Society, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. He was a talented traditional musician, the fiddle being his favourite instrument.
His appointment to the Seanad by the then Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, in 1969, launched his national political career. Although his term as Cathaoirleach was brief, he impressed his Seanad colleagues with his knowledge of procedure and his fairness. His lost his seat in 1973, but won it back as a member of the agricultural panel in 1977, and remained in the Seanad until 1982. Although staunchly Fianna Fail, he made several cross-party friendships, which he retained up to his death. His colleagues saw him as courteous, with a strong sense of public service. He met many of them for the last time at Mr Lynch's funeral in Cork.
Micheal Cranitch is survived by his wife Kathleen and their children Matt, Peadar, Eilis, Brid, and his sister, Ann. Micheal Cranitch: born 1912; died November, 1999