Tributes have been paid to the former Tindle Radio Managing Director Albert FitzGerald, who has died aged 59.
The broadcaster and businessman’s death was announced by his family on Saturday evening (August 13). Born in Cork, Albert worked for 26 years for Tindle station Midlands 103, which serves communities across Laois, Offaly and Westmeath in Ireland, while becoming a leading figure in the Irish radio industry.
Having started his commercial radio career at Cork pirate station ERI, Albert joined Midlands 103 in 1995 as Sales Director, before becoming Managing Director nine years later. In 2013 he became Group Managing Director of the wider Tindle Radio Group, a role he held until last year.
Albert served as Managing Director of Midlands 103 until last year and was a founder member in Tullamore Rotary Club. He was instrumental in orchestrating fundraising projects in the wider community, including the Be Safe Be Seen Road Safety Campaign and Coins For Cancer.
Albert was a supporter of innovations in the Irish radio industry including the training body Learning Waves, Independent Broadcasters of Ireland and IRS Plus in Dublin, where he was a director. He won multiple awards, including a PPI National Radio Award for documentary broadcasting and commercial production prizes such as the National Love Radio Award for Best Creative Scriptwriting.
A well-known and popular figure in the Midlands business community, Albert was voted Business Person of the Year by Tullamore Chamber of Commerce in 2012 and was subsequently named Business Person of the Year for Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford in 2013.
Danny Cammiade, CEO of Tindle Newspapers Ltd, paid tribute to Albert. He said: “Positive in everything he did, Albert’s contribution to our radio business and its success reflected his drive and energy. We all respected his leadership, trusted his judgement in leading the business and admired the determination he showed to make a positive difference.
“Always offering a whirlwind of ideas and solutions to every challenge he came across, his legacy within our radio business will live on in the good hands of the people he trained and loved. The deepest sympathies of the Tindle family and the board are with Albert’s family at this difficult time.”
The Tullamore and District Rotary Club paid tribute to Albert’s “drive and determination”. In a statement the club said: “It is with immense sadness and the heaviest of hearts that the club acknowledges the passing of our Founding President Albert FitzGerald.
“He has been the driver of many successful club projects and fundraisers, and his drive and determination inspired us all. Above all though, he is remembered as a valued mentor and treasured friend. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h’anam dílis.” (Translation: May his holy soul be on the right side of God.)
Albert is survived by his wife Siobhán and their sons, Andrew and Stephen.