Frank McCourt Dies, Aged 78

Frank McCourt, author of the famous Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Angela's Ashes', died on July 19 after a long illness of meningitis and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Malachy McCourt, his brother, said that he died at a Manhattan hospice.

Frank, until his mid-60s, was primarily known as a creative writing teacher and "a bit of a character" around New York City. Often seen out and about with his younger brother Malachy singing and telling stories, or simply hanging out with other literary types in places such as the White Horse Tavern.

It wasn't until 1996 that 'Angela's Ashes' came to fruition, despite many a book developing in his head. A friend helped him get an agent, and soon his unfinished manuscript was signed by Scribner.

Initially, only 25,000 copies were printed but regardless of that small number, it became an instant hit with readers and critics alike.

'Angela's Ashes' was the memoirs of someone who wasn't a celebrity, it was the memoirs of an ordinary man from an ordinary family.

It went on to be published in 25 languages and 30 countries, and over ten million copies of the book have been sold in North America alone.

A true New Yorker at heart, Frank McCourt carried a heavy burden that made for a heart breaking story to read.

Born a year after the Wall Street Crash, his parents returned to their native Ireland and settled in Limerick.

McCourt writes of his father's drinking which was detrimental to the family's chances of surviving. Three of McCourt's seven siblings died, and he himself only just survived a bout of typhoid fever.

McCourt once revealed that he wasn't prepared for the fame that came with the world's admiration for his novel.

A regular at parties, conferences, readings and other gatherings, his think Irish accent remained, despite decades of his life spent in the USA.

He is survived by his daughter Maggie.

On hearing the news, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg said, "A year or two ago, Frank McCourt and I were speaking at Adrian Flannelly's annual St Patrick's Day party and radio show when Frank said, 'New York is such a lovely city. I was born here, and I'd like to die here too - in about 30 years.' Sadly, we lost Frank ... far too soon.

"Frank arrived in New York from Limerick with nothing and - like so many Irish immigrants before him - worked to build a better life here. He shared his gift for teaching with thousands of New York City public school children, and when he retired, he shared his gift for storytelling with the world.  Frank's love for his students was matched only by the respect he had for his fellow teachers, and his success as a writer reflects the incredible talent that is found at the front of public school classrooms throughout the City.

"Of all the great New York writers, few have captured the hearts of readers - and the heart of the City - as well as Frank.  Tonight, on behalf of the city he loved, I want to extend my deepest sympathies to Frank's wife Ellen, his daughter Maggie, his brothers, and all his other loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them."