The passing of a pioneer!

His many friends throughout the world will be sad to hear of the passing of Maurice Radford. He was aged 77 and died peacefully on Sunday 10th July after a long illness at the Eyrefield Manor Nursing Home in Greystones, Co. Wicklow (IRL).

Maurice was born in 1933 and grew up in Wexford. He played hurling with Wexford Minors before moving to Dublin in 1953 to serve in the Air Corps. It was there, that his training as an Instrument mechanic marked the start of his life long career and passion for instrumentation.

He helped to start the ISA Ireland Section in 1978 and in 1982 was elected ISA District 12 Vice President (when this comprised all geographical areas outside U.S. and Canada). He served for two terms until 1986. The ISA recognised his lifetime service in 2004 with the Instrument Pioneer Award by the section where it was recieved on his behalf by his son Mark. He was hounoured by the Society in 2006 with the Golden Achievement Award though he was unable to attend in person. The Section President at the time Jim Long presented it to him in person later.

Maurice’s energy and drive for engineering excellence will be remembered by the customers, employees and suppliers of the companies he began and managed since 1971 until his untimely illness in 2003. (Measurement, Control and Automation and Mytec Ltd.). Maurice was an early adopter of many technologies and a great evangelist for innovation. He had little respect for the status quo and enjoyed being a contrarian!

Hugh Wilson President ISA presents the Charter to the late Fred Gilroy 1st IrelandSection President Also included: Eddie O'Connell, Tom Nulty, Bob Shine, Eddie Kenny,  Dan O'Sullivan and Maurice Radford. (Silver Springs Hotel, Cork, September 4th 1978)

He introduced many new products to Ireland and was at the forefront of electronic weighing in the 1960’s,  digital instruments in the 70's and 80’s and rubber valves in the 90’s.

With the passing of Maurice, the Automation  Industry and the people associated with it Ireland and in the wider world is the poorer.

Maurice will be sadly missed by his wife Brenda; children, Mark; Norma and Rhona and grandchildren, Lauren, Caolán, Faoláin, Ellen, Fintan, Isobel, Fionn and Caoimhe to whom, and I'm sure all who knew him will join us, we extend our deepest sympathy.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Irish Heart Foundation.