Paul McGlade- One Of Northern Ireland’s Brilliant Bigwigs- Died At 69
Paul McGlade, the founder of Champion Sports, Optilase and Thérapie Clinic, died at 69 after a short illness. He had been one of the greatest businessmen for 50 years.
Paul McGlade left on 8th August, Thursday. He left four children behind, naming Paul Jr., Phillip, Katie and William. He also had six grandchildren and an ex-wife Rita. He was close friends with her for a long time.
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He got married to Rita in 1981 and despite being separated later, they remained close friends. They took this decision for the best future of their four kids. They even guided each other in business matters that helped McGlade beat a retreat in his trading matters.
He had a good sense of business and he realised it when he first entered Northern Ireland markets. He was among the first to develop a good sense of retail at that time and quickly flourished with it.
After moving to Dublin in the late 70’s, Paul McGlade launched Apollo. Apollo was a store on Moore Street that changed the city’s retail industry thoroughly. He was considered an epitome of bargaining for those who were looking for some of the best merchandise.
His family paid tribute by saying, “Born in Belfast on June 12, 1955, Paul was determined to leave his mark on the world from a young age. He was a tremendous hard worker who dreamed big. His world was filled with responsibilities and promise, and he coupled that with an innate skill for identifying what people wanted”.
Paul McGlade’s business success has its own story to tell
McGlade’s family was happy that he successfully launched the sports-related business as this trend took off like a rocket worldwide. He had a great sense of predicting trends and what would thrive in the said sector for years to come.
He thrived in the Champion Sports business for women’s fashion wear in the 1990s. He had an amazing know-how that the trend of sportswear for women would be rising, especially among those with disposable income.
McGlade was also interested in retail footwear business chain Schuh, restaurants like Captain America’s and Wagamama along with fashion retailer USC. He started the Dublin bar and a night club Pygmalion which are still known to be some of the best ventures of contemporary times.
Even after establishing Thérapie in 2001 and the eye surgery clinic Optilase in 2005, he was not blinded by the skyrocketing profits and success graph as his family stated that he was even happier in the company of his children and grandchildren. According to his family, they were his most precious riches.
Ailesbury Clinic founder, Dr Patrick Treacy was reminded of him as a “great friend” as they have been friends for over a long time period of twenty fives. Treacy mentioned in his post on Facebook, “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my great friend Paul McGlade. We have shared over twenty-five years of cherished memories and enduring friendship”.
Treacy was his first medical director at Thérapie clinic in 2001 when McGlade initiated the business, putting all his trust in his friend. The time they spent together in hiring the staff in Birmingham later was a “journey together” that gave Treacy some of the best memories of his life, he confessed.
Treacy was all praise for Paul McGlade as he recalled him as a lively person. They had fun times in Goa where they “shared laughter”. McGlade was a true source of happiness for his friends when he filled them with joy that left them with his lasting impression for life, he professed.
