It is with great sadness that we are announcing one of Gateway's most beloved and respected tutors, the wonderful George Ferguson, has passed away.

Writing creates a joyful bond

George worked and supported the development of the Gateway creative writing group for many years as a part time tutor with the City of Dublin VEC.  Creative writing through George became a steady feature at Gateway providing an important outlet for many of our writers to explore and nurture their talents as well as providing a space to make friends and share with others from the local community.  How George came to writing, publishing and teaching later in life is the basis of a short piece he wrote for writing.ie entitled Finding Your Niche which describes in his own words the joy he found in writing and teaching.

We will be forever grateful to George for his generosity of spirit, his charming humour, encouragement and inspired commitment to creative writing and the people involved in it at Gateway.  The writing group is still going strong and testament to this good work. The group is now under the guidance of Maria Jones, a kindred spirit we believe and one as dedicated to the joyful bond as George.

Fondly missed by those who had the good fortune to know him.  Our heartfelt sympathies extend to his family and loved ones.

May George rest in peace, love and light.

With thanks and solidarity,

Fionn

For details of George's memorial service, please see the Irish Times notice of the 27 May 2014.

FERGUSON, George Wesley - May 18, 2014 (at home, suddenly but peacefully). Husband of Florence; father of Kenneth, Stephen and Christine; grandfather of Helen, Jane, Kate, Ruth and Rachel. Devoted companion of Mary, and encourager of aspirant writers. Body donated to R.C.S.I. for medical research. Memorial Service at Wesley House, Leeson Park, at 7.00 p.m. on Sunday June 1, 2014.