Victor Connerty

Sending sincere condolences to the Connerty family at this sad time.

Like many, I was a student of Greek and Roman Civilisation in UCD from 1997-2000.

Vic undoubtedly changed my life and I will always keep him in my prayers.

Rest in Peace Vic.

We are all very sad to hear of the passing of my much loved Uncle Vic. We will be thinking of all of you at this sad time. Condolences to Bernie, Michael, Maria, Robert and all the family. Love Paul, Angela and family.

I have only just learned, with a deep sense of loss, of Vic's passing. My deepest condolences to Bernie and the family. As so many of these condolences attest, Vic was an exceptionally dear and cherished colleague and an inspiring mentor and teacher. His humane grace and sheer goodness of heart will long be remembered by those fortunate enough to have encountered him in UCD. His wisdom was always tempered by compassion and great good humour, and his contribution to university life on the Belfield campus was profound and deeply-felt.
May he rest in peace.

As so many here have said - Victor Connerty was a truly inspiring teacher of Classics and a truly inspiring man, and had a sincere and enduring concern for students and their welfare. It was an honour to be taught by him; it was an honour to know him. God rest him, and comfort Bernie and the family he loved so much. Philip Hamell UCD Classics 1972-1976

To Bernie & family

Vic was a gentleman to the core, who educated so many students so brilliantly. He was a pillar of the UCD Classics Dept. Brian and I were lucky to spend our early years with you both in UCD. Sending you all my love and prayers.

I have known Vic since my early schooldays in Liverpool. His advice and encouragement have had an important influence on my life's course, although he did not always know it himself. I worked with him for over thirty years in the Department of Classics in UCD, where he formed the stable centre around which the Department operated and flourished, expressed in his profound appreciation for the educational value of the Greco-Roman world and his unfaltering concern for the intellectual and social well-being of our students. Always ready to assist and cheer, never putting himself first, I am happy to count myself amongst those innumerable students and colleagues who have witnessed his influence on their lives, not least, in my own case, for the continuous and generous support afforded me during my time as Head of Department.
venisti tandem, tuaque expectata parenti
vicit iter durum pietas. (Virgil, Aeneid VI 687-8)

I was a First Arts Student in UCD 1965 / 1966 and studied Latin under Professor John O'Meara and Victor Connerty. He was a thorough gentleman and instilled in his students a passion for lifelong learning, epitomized by my graduation in local history from Oxford University last March. The university has organized an alumni dinner for graduates who pursued their qualifications through distance learning online this Wednesday 2nd July. This will be preceded by a wine reception beforehand and during the ceremony, I will toast Victor's contribution to the study of the classics by his students in UCD. My condolences to his family. May Victor rest-in-peace

I was a student of Greek & Roman 1977 to 1980 and I still remember Mr. Connerty as a father figure in the department and a true gentleman. I'm sure it was his passion that attracted me to the subject.
My sincere sympathy to his family on his passing. May he rest in peace.

I was a Classics student in the 90s and Vic’s lectures were always my favourites. I loved the way he broke up a Theatre L 1st year lectures with a (topical!) cartoon every week. He gave his students a real love of the subject. Like others have said above, I chose Classics as a third subject and ended up loving it and studying it to degree level.
I had the pleasure of meeting Vic last October at my own father’s funeral (Tom Garvin UCD Politics). It was under sad circumstances but we had a lovely chat. My sincere condolences to all of his family.

I had the privilege of being taught by Mr Connerty for both my undergraduate and master degrees in the early 90s. He was an incredible lecturer who captivated his audience every week with his stories of the Gracchi and timing the death of Julius Caesar at the Ides of March. A packed theatre L as many of the students were gate crashes from Engineering and Science! It was difficult to take notes during these lectures but easy to remember everything he said.

He was available to students in his role as assistant Dean of Arts and gave great advice to anyone with difficulties.

Vic instilled a love of Greek and Roman civilisation and it’s one of reasons I’m a Classics teacher today.

My sincerest condolences to you Bernie and all your family.

My deepest sympathies to Vic's family. Vic was an exemplary colleague in UCD, kind, committed, positive and always committed to the greater good.

It was a joy and a pleasure to meet you properly in Dublin back in October. You were a true raconteur, warm-hearted, gregarious yet also a generous listener. The lunch with you and Bernie will stay with us for a long time. You were a wonderful brother and a great comfort to my Granny - your stories of her and your siblings growing up were captivating. (But best of all, making it to an early 50s Merseyside derby in the “boys’ pen”, with hand-drawn maps and instructions from your mother!)

Your texts about Cambridge and Liverpool FC were a link across the ocean over the years. I’m so pleased we had that special day to share. You’ll be greatly missed - lots of love to wonderful Bernie and your whole devoted family.

At the end of a storm, is a golden sky, and the sweet silver song of a lark. All my love, David (+ Beatrix) xx

Maria, sincere condolences on the passing of your father Victor.

Catherine

My deepest sympathy to Vic's family, he was a warm and true gentleman.

Bernie and family, my deepest condolences. Vic was my first year tutor and Roman History lecturer, and while he excelled at the latter his skills in helping students adjust to third-level study were simply sublime. He became a friend, mentor, and someone whose presence elevated whatever company he was in. It was my good fortune to meet him, truly one of a kind.

Dear Bernie, Maria, Michael, Robert and Daniel, I am so sorry that Victor has left your world. I was shocked to learn of his passing. It was always a real joy to bump into Victor on Pine Valley Park over all these years, or in Marlay, or back in the day as he crossed the Arts block in UCD like a parish priest with his flock! I often regretted my college course choices when I saw the reception that Victor always received amongst students and heard of his splendour as an educator and mentor. With his wide smile, his interesting and intelligent musings on life and a lovely sincere interest in the conversation, it was always nice to see him. His smile was widest though on the side of a soccer pitch in GUFC or further afield cheering you on, and watching you play Daniel. He was so very proud of you. I hope you will always feel your Grandad close as life moves along. His presence will be greatly missed in Pine Valley. I am sorry I could not make his funeral today and offer my condolences in person. I am told it was a truly lovely service that was "very fitting of a great man". Rest in peace Victor x

I enrolled on UCD's first Greek & Roman modular degree course, and tonight (25th June) was reminiscing on how fortunate I was to have Mr Connerty as a Lecturer. What an introduction to the Classics! I looked online to see how he was faring, only to discover that he had only just passed. What a shock! His lectures were a favourite among my cohort - I think it is safe to say that he was a consummate Educator. He ensured that his classes were interesting, entertaining, and enthralling, which I'm sure l reflected his personality. Although I am a stranger to his family members, I send my sincere condolences and sympathies to them. I regret that I missed the opportunity to pay my personal respects to such a lovely man. He will be sorely missed.

My sincere condolences to all the Connerty family on your bereavement.
As so many tributes to Victor on this website already attest, his gentlemanly, erudite, kind and supportive persona was deeply appreciated and greatly admired by all who knew him. May you his loved ones find comfort in the highest esteem in which Victor was universally held, and may he enjoy the company of the blessed and of the great wits in Elysium!

Lux perpetua luceat Ei, Domine, et cum Lazaro, quondam paupere, aeternam requiem habeat!

I was so sorry to hear of Mr Connerty's passing. He was a big part of our lives growing up in Pine Valley and a true gentleman. My deepest sympathies to Bernie, Michael, Maria and Robert.

To Bernie and Family, I was so sad to learn of the passing of Vic. He was such an inspiration to me as a student of Classics in UCD and as such I have such wonderful memories of life as a student in UCD at this time. Vic was a very kind, inclusive and interesting man. I will miss bumping into him in Supervalu in Ballinteer and around the area in general. Rest in Peace Vic.

Sincere condolences to Bernie, Michael, Maria and Robert on the sad passing of Victor. I have many fond memories of him as we played in the garden, especially our family games of cricket and rounders in the sunshine. He was always so kind and caring to me as a child. May he rest in peace 💙

My sincere condolences to Michael and all the Connerty family on the passing of Victor. I will always remember the kindness he showed me when I started in UCD. May he rest in peace.

Maria my sincere sympathy to you and your family on the passing for your Dad Victor - will be remembering you all at this very sad and difficult time. Love N

To Bernie and family, I was shocked to hear this news, and I am so desperately sorry for your loss. These last few days have been ones where sorrow has mingled with gratitude, and the thought that I’ve been so lucky to have been taught and guided by Vic, and to have known him for so long as a friend. It’s strange to think back to to those magnificent lectures in UCD where Vic could cast his spell over a packed Theatre L, and to the first time I nervously spoke to him in the stairway to the department with us talking in no time at all about how he and my mum had both moved here from Liverpool within a couple of years. I’d never have thought then that he’d go on to be my tutor, my stand-in supervisor, my boss whether tutoring or invigilating, and most importantly my friend through the decades of his retirement. One of my friends described him the other day as a champion of the ancient world who exemplified how to be a person in the modern world, and this is surely right: his warmth, his wisdom, his curiosity, and his deep care for people are things that will surely stay with me and so many others as long as we live. May he rest in peace.

My deepest sympathies to the Connerty family. I was a student of Victor’s in the early 80’s. I loved every one of his Roman History lectures and was privileged to have him as my supervisor for my MA thesis. He truly brought history alive - when he spoke of Cicero and Cataline in 63bc - I believed in was in the Senate listening to them!! Great memories of a wonderful teacher, guide and friend.

I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Connerty's passing, my sincere sympathies to his family. I am yet another of his former students, (the 90s), and his lectures remain as vivid in my memory as they were to live through - it sounds dramatic for a lecture, but what an experience they were. I have never known someone to hold the attention of so many people as well as he did. I have thought of him fondly many, many times over the years, both as a wonderful lecturer and a kind and genuinely caring Associate Dean. HIs memory is secure, he lives long in many hearts and minds.

I am sorry to hear of Vic's passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
As both a former student and neighbour, I had the privilege of experiencing his presence in and out of the lecture hall. His lectures in Classics were captivating - rich with drama, insight and delivered in those smooth, velvet tones that made Roman History come alive. Outside the lecture hall he was just as generous - always stopping to chat, always genuinely interested in how you were doing.
He left a lasting impression on many of us, and I hope you find comfort in knowing how fondly he is remembered.
May he Rest in Peace
Joanne

To Bernie and family, simply to say how much I loved to meet up with Victor in our local supermarket and to exchange memories of our time together in UCD. Victor was a wonderful promoter of interest in and knowledge of the classical world. One of life's great givers.

I was a colleague of Vic for over forty years in UCD and have strong memories of his friendship, kindness and good humour. As many contributors to this condolence have already said, he was deeply committed to teaching, helping and encouraging students during their undergraduate career. He cared deeply about the quality of the student experience and embodied all that is finest in the tradition of tuition and scholarship. My deepest sympathy to the whole family.

Very sorry to Rob and family for this loss. I used to cycle home from school with Rob and although already a Liverpool I like to think the Connerty connection gave me an extra reason to support them - as well as John Aldridge and Ronnie Whelan. In UCD, Victor was lead invigilator for RDS exams and such a calm presence- he will be remembered well.

Deepest sympathies to all the Connerty family. Vic was a welcoming neighbour, a fondly remembered lecturer and great research assistant for one of our kids' classics projects.

He was a true gentleman who would always stop for a chat or a research question and it was such a pleasure to see him recently at the UCD classics department reception.

May he rest in peace.

Shane & Anne Grant & family, Pine Valley Park.

My heartfelt condolences to Bernie and all of Vic's family on your very sad loss. In first met him in UCD in October 1979 on my birthday. Practically the first words he said to me were Happy Birthday- so welcoming and open right from the start. Vic was simply an inspirational lecturer, mentor and friend and Liverpool supporter and it was wonderful and a privilege to have been taught by him -who could ever forget his question guaranteed to grab the interest of the most disinterested student: who introduced tightrope walking elephants to Rome? We all loved his sense of humour and his endless encouragement of all of his students. Years later he would still take a great interest in our careers, though in my case I drifted very far from ancient history. He will live long in my memory and my memories of him will always bring a smile to my face. May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolence to the Connerty family,Vic was the most sincere and helpful person I worked with in UCD, always ready with that great smile and sound ways of handling things.and he loved his football and 60s music,such fond memories. Frieda Savage

We send our condolences to all the family on the passing of a wonderful man whose warmth and generosity were a blessing to everyone he met. He was an amazing colleague for a new arrival at UCD, an unfailingly cheerful source of encouragement to new parents, and we will treasure our memories of Vic forever.

I was a student of Vic's in the late 60s, early 70s. Apart from being a wonderful, engaging lecturer, he was a mentor instinctively, full of wisdom and humour. Sincere sympathy to his family. Tony O'Sullivan

I knew Vic as a kind and generous colleague. As others have said, he was a true gentleman.

Condolences to all. So many memories. He appointed me to UCD and mentored my first years there. From him I learned to understand the engagement with the students overruled everything else. Vic, you changed the world around you.

Dear Vic’s family,
I was lucky enough to have been one of Vic’s students in UCD. In 1997, when I started in UCD, you could sample different subjects & then decide what subjects you wanted to pick. I had never heard of Greek & Roman Civilisation as a subject. I went to one of Vic’s lectures and I was hooked. I picked Classics as a subject because of this & I’m now a Classics teacher. Vic inspired me. He was a wonderful lecturer and so entertaining. He was such a warm & kind man. It is a privilege to have been his student. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Sorry for your loss & may Vic rest in peace.

To Bernie and the family - deepest condolences.
I am sure you will not need one further person to indicate the remarkable impact that Vic had on colleagues, friends and students alike. My own wife, who never met Vic, often mentions that I regularly (nearly 30 years on) note his unique characteristics and capabilities in admiration depending on the circumstances we are in.

It was once quoted to me that everyone in Dublin was probably at a minimum 'two people away' from Vic in terms of connection - such was his wide network of links from Classics, Exams and Academic Leadership in UCD. He was a magnificent person, and will be greatly missed.

Liam

To Rob and family, please accept my condolences on your loss. I'm sorry to miss the funeral. Remember the good times!

I thought of Mr Connerty just a few weeks ago when I picked up a copy of Scullard's Gracchi to Nero in a second-hand bookshop. I always hear that author & title in his voice! His lectures were erudition and wit in just the right proportions. Outside the classroom, he was kind and engaging, and was always an encouraging presence to us students. My late father, a mathematician in UCD, always spoke highly of Vic, with an implicit trust in his good sense and judgement. We shall not see his like again. Cuius animae propitietur Deus.

Deepest sympathy to Rob and all the family on your loss. May he rest in peace.

So very sorry to hear of Victors passing. Our deepest sympathy
To Bernie,Michael, Maria and Robert. We were neighbours in Pine Valley in the early days. It was always a pleasure to meet Victor, interested and charming. His wisdom and guidance when our children embarked on their academic careers was invaluable and always offered with generousity. We are saddened at his passing.
Rest in Peace.
The Reidy family

My heartfelt sympathy to all of Vic’s family and friends.

I feel privileged to have spent my years in the UCD Classic Department during his tenure there. His was an inspiring lecturer with a gift for teaching that saw many a non-classics student sit in on his Roman history lectures in Theatre L. Such was his impact, that I was only thinking of him last week as I was revisiting this topic for the first time in a while and I could hear his voice in my head - more than a quarter of a century later.

Vic was also a man of great humour and wit and his booming laugh in the corridors would always draw us masters students out of our shared office so we could join the fun.

For all this, it will be for his kindness and goodness that I will most remember him. The best of men. RIP Vic.

Bernie, please accept our deepest condolences at this very sad time for you and the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.

So sorry to read of Vic’s passing. Very happy memories of him as a lecturer and then as President of UCD Cricket Club. A kind and gentle man who was great company. Deepest sympathy to all the family.

My sympathy to you Rob and your family on the sad passing of your father, may he rest in perfect peace.

What a lovely, bright brilliant man Vic was. I met him first when i was in school doing work experience and when the time came for college there was no doubt where i wanted to be. What a gifted lecturer and what a generous soul. He must have positively impacted the lives of thousands os people. My condolences to all his family and friends and may he rest in peace.

My most heartfelt condolences to the Connerty family and relatives on the passing over to the Shades of one of the great classicists, educators and traditional gentlemen of academe. Victor was inspiring and memorable in equal measure and I had the pleasure of knowing him both as my undergraduate Roman History lecturer and as a post-graduate tutoring colleague, as well as hearing him hold court at several academic events (and the occasional coffee appointment at UCD Restaurant in later years, though regrettably too few). Victor would grace any meeting of the Roman Senate itself, and in the Great Hereafter the company of one such as the late philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius. May he rest in peace.

As a student, I will always remember my neighbour Victor’s kindness in proofreading my thesis submissions. He had a rare gift of offering advice in a most encouraging way. Over the years, I often crossed paths with Victor while walking in Marley Park - those brief chats, coupled with his warm smile, would always brighten my day. My deepest condolences to Bernie and all of the Connerty family. May Victor's gentle soul rest in peace.

We're sorry for your loss Michael (Conzo) and all the Connerty's. We are thinking of you all,
Love Ben,Fiona & Cliodhna.

I was deeply saddened to learn of Vic's passing last week. I am one among so many that benefited from his sideline support at so many UCD and Pegasus matches over the years. Beyond that I remember so fondly countless conversations with Vic on two of our shared passions of football and cricket. My deepest condolences to Rob and the rest of the Connerty family on the passing of such a legend and role model to us all. RIP.

Deepest sympathies to you Bernie and all your family. We have such wonderful memories of Vic from our time at UCD - a truly great lecturer and mentor with an infectious love for the subject and a deep interest in all his students. He will be much missed and you are all in our thoughts at this time. Aideen and Simon.

Basking in memories of our childhood & our wonderful chats full of humour, full of laughter, reminiscing,a special sharing of love.
Never to be forgotten. A source of comfort & peace.
May the end of this Road lead you to everlasting peace & happiness.
Barbara (elder sister !) x

I am so deeply saddened to hear the news of Vic's passing, he taught me in UCD in the early 1990s when you could hear a pin drop in every lecture he delivered; his talks were nothing short of gripping. He was truly inspirational and much loved by generations of students, by everyone in UCD in fact. He was so incredibly kind, decent and keenly interested in his students, beyond their graduations and their essays. We shall not see his like again, my sincere condolences to his family.

I was very saddened to hear the news which was forwarded by another former student from the 1980s. Mr. Connerty (for that is what we always referred to him as) stands out as an exemplary educator at the University. Knowledgeable, authoritative and fair. He was both interesting and interested in his students who eagerly enjoyed his detailed lectures on events millennia ago as if they were current events. Many students enrolled in Greek and Roman Civilization as an ‘easy’ third subject for First Year Arts only to change their focus and elevate the subject, following it to degree level. The triumvirate of Mr. Connerty, his colleagues Mr. Latham and Dr. Walthew was instrumental in promoting the subject and thereby the Department which I understand is thriving to this day. Others may remember him as the lead invigilator at RDS Simmonscourt where he was responsible for hundreds of candidates at one sitting (the authoritative voice) ensuring all was conducted in an orderly manner.

You may imagine my surprise when contacted by another former student after the passing of decades that Mr. Connerty was well and happy to hear from former students. Some emails followed and it is a rare opportunity that allows a student to show gratitude for the inspiration sown in youth. Better was to follow when a meeting was proposed around last Christmas and finding him in excellent form with memories of exquisite detail including sharing details from his own youth. Just how many people can say they saw Buddy Holly at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in March 1958, dependent upon asking their rather strict Jesuit master on behalf of their classmates to be excused early to attend? Further meetings were planned which alas, will now never happen. It was an honour to have known the man and benefit from his knowledge and example, my sympathies to his wife Bernie and children Michael, Maria and Robert.

Sincere condolences to you Bernie and your family. I enjoyed so many hours of work and play with both of you. In UCD both the academic, invigilation and UCD Soccer Club experiences. I especially treasure the kind message you both send from your honeymoon to our wedding! Such exceptional thoughtfulness. May Vic's gentle soul rest in peace.

I was a classics student in UCD years ago and Vic was one of the stand out memories. A superb lecturer, kind person and infinite knowledge (without being a show off) Vic Connerty had a special skill of resonating with everyone. This is very sad news.

My lovely brother dearest Vic.
Loving & missing you forever.