If the hat fits wear it - this one is a perfect fit

This week’s column in The Kerryman newspaper.

Michael Commane

Have you ever done anything on the spur of the moment and then regretted it? Or have there been times when you kicked yourself for not acting in a spontaneous manner?

Is the world divided into two classes; those who are cautious and those who are spontaneous?

Jefferson Smurfit has had a long history in paper manufacturing and corrugated packaging in Ireland. The company had a paper mill in Dublin’s Clonskeagh, which closed in 2009. The factory had been in production since 1952. 

When my father retired in 1974 at age 65 Smurfit offered him a job. He worked at the paper mill in Clonskeagh for the next 18 years, retiring for the second time in 1992 at 82. He enjoyed every day at the mill. He loved his work and colleagues, and in turn Smurfit and staff had great respect for him.

Last September Smurfit and US Westrock merged to create one of the world's largest paper and packaging producers in the world. The company is headquartered in Dublin’s Clonskeagh.

Smurfit Westrock, has a presence in 40 countries around the world, operates 62 paper mills and has 500 paper/cardboard packaging facilities.

Waiting for a train a few days ago I spotted a young man wearing a baseball cap with Smurfit Westrock emblazoned on it with the sigma symbol, which is the original Smurfit logo.

It was my first time to see the new baseball cap and for a few mili-seconds was tempted to grab it and run. How I would love to have had it. But of course I didn’t, nor would I have. But I did think it.

I was immediately reminded of my father.  

That particular day I was on trains for six hours and often thought about the cap. Silly I suppose, but that’s who I am. I got caught up in the day’s activities but kept thinking of the cap.

The next day I googled the Smurfit Westrock website. 

Found a phone number and called. Feeling embarrassed and somewhat stupid I explained my story to the receptionist, telling her my father worked with them, retiring at 82 and how I’d love one of their baseball caps. 

To my total surprise, she asked me my details and the following day two of the baseball caps were delivered by courier to my hall door.

The only reason my father retired at 82 was because he fell and broke his leg. Smurfit were wonderful employers and I know firsthand how my father enjoyed working with them. It kept him so fresh and alive. He was swimming in the sea at 92 and died at 95.

It makes no sense to have mandatory retirement on age grounds.

Pope John XXIII’s wise words applied to my mother and father, and I imagine to most of our parents: ‘Men are like wine - some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age’.

The Smurfit Westrock gesture was one of simple kindness but just think of the PR value of it. Any time I’ll hear or see of Smurfit Westrock I’ll think positively. That’s life. And a special thank you to the receptionist who took my call.