Famed boxing commentator was regular visitor to city…
IT was with a heavy heart that a Limerick priest spoke about his ‘brother’, American journalist, the late George Kimball, (67), who was a regular visitor to Southill and impacted positively on the lives of hundreds of youths there. Kimball, a sports journalist for the Boston Herald and contributor with The Irish Times, passed away from oesophageal cancer on July 6, but according to Fr Joe Young, the writer will live on through the children of Southill who were inspired by him.
“George Kimball was a gentle giant,” Fr Young told the Limerick Post.
“He spent 25 years writing for the Boston Globe newspaper, not just as boxing columnist, but on baseball, and was highly respected. He was a regular contributor on both sports to the Irish Times.
“I got to know him on a trip to Boston with youths from Southill in the ‘80s and we developed an incredible bond, sharing so many of the same ideas regarding young people and the difference sport could make in their lives, particularly in disadvantaged areas”.
Through George, Fr Joe met some of the influential people in sport in the United States, including boxers Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman, who subsequently came to Southill on an extended holiday and greeted people from all over the city.
“I had a ringside seat when he was commentating in boxing matches.
“George always saw boxing as a controlled aggression; therapeutic for those who had suffered and needed a release.
“We both saw sport as an incredible forum that could entice children from abandoned areas away from anti-social behaviour”.
Fr Young explained that, although Kimball was a very powerful man, he was soft spoken and never looked for praise or thanks.
“He came to Southill several times and was an incredible inspiration to children there, and we shared the motivation of showing them life beyond the roundabout.
“He was instrumental in developing their self-esteem, and believed that every time you praise a child, you bless them”.
Fr Young explained that 100s of children from Southill were inspired by George Kimball and are now scattered over the world, many in America, and are very successful.
“He inspired them to go for gold.
“He didn’t have any family connections in Ireland, but the Southill youths became his family. George touched the hearts of Southill and its young people”.
Another close friend was retired school principal, Kevin Hough.
A memorial service was held for George in Times Square New York last week, by 200 of his family and friends, where stories of his character and influence were exchanged.
Among the songs played at the tribute was The Parting Glass, rendered by none other than Tom Paxton, who also played an instrumental version of ‘Will You Go Lassie Go’, in recognition of Kimball’s close connection to Ireland.
Fr Young revealed that George Kimball’s two children were baptised by him at Holy Family church in Southill.
“He wouldn’t have it done anywhere else or by anyone else.
“I have five true and genuine friends and I count him among them. “I love him as a brother and he will forever be engrained on my heart”.
Pictured, George Foreman on a trip to Southill with Fr Joe Young and the late George Kimball both inset.
