The death has taken place of former Mayor of Clonmel and Chairman of South Tipperary County Council, Tom Ambrose from Clonmel.
The passing of Mr Ambrose, from Melview, Clonmel, was announced by his daughter, Fianna Fail Cllr Siobhan Ambrose on her Facebook page. His good friend and Fianna Fail colleague, Cllr Roger Kennedy described Mr Ambrose as an “iconic figure” in the Fianna Fail party in the county.
On behalf of his colleagues in Fianna Fail and on Tipperary County Council, he extended his deepest sympathy to Cllr Siobhan Ambrose, Tom’s beloved wife Joan and all members of the Ambrose family. “Tom will be very sadly missed. He was a Limerick man who never forgot his roots but was also very proud of his adopted county Tipperary,” said the Cashel councillor.
Cllr Kennedy recalled that Tom Ambrose was first elected to South Tipperary County Council in 1974 and was returned at every subsequent county council election over the next 35 years until he was succeeded on the council by his daughter Siobhan in 2009. He also served on Clonmel Corporation, subsequently renamed Clonmel Borough Council, until 2004 when Siobhan took over his seat.
Mr Ambrose served as chairman of South Tipperary County Council and Mayor of Clonmel on a number of occasions and was also a Fianna Fail candidate in South Tipperary in the 1982 General Election. He was Fianna Fail party whip or leader on South Tipperary County Council for many years when not serving as its chairman. Outside of politics, he was a highly respected teacher at Clonmel’s High School CBS.
Cllr Siobhan Ambrose paid tribute to her father and said it was “A sad time for us all especially our wonderful Mam, who supported Dad in everything he did during their 59 years of marriage. “Dad achieved so much and helped so many in his long life and we trust that he is now enjoying his eternal reward”.
