TRIBUTES WERE paid yesterday to businessman and Freeman of Waterford, Nicholas “Nicky” Fewer, who died in the city yesterday at the age of 60 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
An architect, Mr Fewer was a former chair of Waterford airport and president of Waterford Chamber in its bicentenary year. A keen sailor, he chaired the team that co-ordinated the city’s hosting of the Tall Ships’ races in 2005.
In the final days of his life, Mr Fewer led a “not for profit” investment group which aimed to re-establish crystal manufacturing and related tourism in Waterford, following the demise of the Waterford Crystal plant at Kilbarry. He spoke publicly about it up to last Monday. He established an architectural practice in the city in 1975 and his firm, Fewer Harrington and Partners, grew to become one of the largest in Ireland.
He was a pivotal member of the taskforce that prepared the Vision 2011 report on the socio-economic situation in Waterford and the southeast for former tánaiste and minister for enterprise, trade and employment Mary Harney.
A tireless fundraiser for worthy causes, he chaired the Harry Diegmann Education Trust which funded the third-level education of a number of Waterford students as well as helping to pay for a new library at St Saviour’s national school in Ballybeg.
Mayor of Waterford Jack Walsh said that Mr Fewer was “a driving force” who had “energy, intelligence, wit and ability”.
“Nicky was a driving force behind so many worthwhile initiatives in our city and his ‘let’s do it’ attitude carried people from the public and private sector along with him.” Chief executive of Waterford airport, Graham Doyle said his incredible energy would be very greatly missed.
