The late Myles Doyle behind his counter in Gorey with a copy of THE ECHO newspaper from 1908.

A friendly face on Gorey’s Main Street for over seventy years has disappeared, hence the sad loss of Myles Doyle, (88), who passed to his eternal reward last Thursday, drawing to an end a life fulfilled and a tradition maintained.

Myles, who was one of the Halpin-Doyle’s from Ballydarragh, Craanford, became an icon in Gorey through maintaining a traditional shop – inside and out – and was one of the town’s last great characters.

Myles worked at Grahams for 25 years before moving into the former premises of Moses Kirwan – now that same shop it carries the legend ‘Myles Doyle’ above the door at 67, Main Street.

Alice Kirwan signed over the business to Myles in 1965-’66 who set up home there with his wife, Kitty, and young son, John.

Myles soon made the business his own and his unique touch was applied to the shop by stocking fruit, vegetables, meats home-made bread and dairy products, all of which were produced locally.

He established a store where the proprietor knew every customer and that philosophy was his forte throughout his lifetime, despite the traditional grocery trade being pressurised by change a

He was a fine character, a happy and friendly man, and not only did he love Gorey, but those who knew him held him in high esteem and they know that his family’s loss is also the town’s loss.

There was a large attendance at his removal on Friday evening and again next day.

A guard of honour was shared between members of the local GAA club and the snooker club, two of Myles’ favourite sporting activities.

Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Michael’s Church, Gorey, last Saturday and burial took place afterwards in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Monaseed.

Deepest sympathy is extended to his sorrowing son, John; daughter-in-law, Breda; sister-in-law, Annie Jo; brother-in-law, Pat; nephew, Jack, his many relatives and a wide circle of friends. R.I.P.

Full report in THE GOREY ECHO this week.