Obituary: Gerry McGuinness
Apr 17, 2018Gerry McGuinness used to say that he got one piece of advice from his father: "If you can buy it or sell it, it's worthless. The only three things that are priceless are your health, your friends and the love of your children." https://www.independent.ie/business/media/obituary-gerry-mcguinness-36807919.htmlhttps://www.independent.ie/incoming/article36807776.ece/9a7ba/AUTOCROP/h342/P28.mcguinnessOBIT.jpgEmailGerry McGuinness used to say that he got one piece of advice from his father: "If you can buy it or sell it, it's worthless. The only three things that are priceless are your health, your friends and the love of your children."His health deserted him in his final years, but his funeral in Donnybrook last week was a testament that at least he achieved the last part as the attendance included his two former wives, two partners, and five children who spoke glowingly from the altar about their father.McGuinness, who died last Tuesday at the age of 79, was described in his death notice as "entrepreneur, father, pilot, golfer, artist, poet and friend" although he was best known as one of the founders of the Sunday World newspaper, which was first published in 1973.Unlike the majority shareholder in the business, Hugh McLaughlin, who sold his entire stake to Independent Newspapers for £1.2m (€1.5m) within two years, McGuinness took a lump sum but also negotiated an 'option' to sell his remaining shares based on profits and the value of the company at his choosing."You are really something. You got all my money and you still own the business," colleague Tony O'Reilly told him. He got £2.8m (€3.5m) in 1982 when he sold his remaining stake and became chief executive of the publishing company Sunday Newspapers and a member of the board of what became Independent News & Media until his retirement in 2002.Born into a family of four in Dublin on May 1, 1938, McGuinness was educated at Terenure College and got his first job as a house manager in the enormous Carlton cinema in O'Connell ... (Independent.ie - Independent.ie)
