William known for his kind and gentle nature
WILLIAM DOYLE (47) of Pettitstown, Ballycogley, passed away at his home very peacefully on April 8 following an illness.
William was a former pupil of Mayglass primary school, where he fostered an early love of the GAA before going on to St Peter’s College as a boarder. He played at the highest level of college Hurling and football for St Peter’s. He was elected to to the position of Senior of the House in his Leaving Certificate year, recognition of his popularity among teachers and fellow students, as well as his leadership skills.
William went on to join his father Frank in the family butcher business in Bridgetown and Kilmore Quay, taking over the business after his father’s passing in 2009. He was hugely popular with his loyal customer base in Bridgetown, with the quality of the meat not only renowned in Co. Wexford, but well beyond, with a strong customer base in Dublin also.
William had a massive love of the GAA and was an integral part of his local club, St Fintan’s. He won multiple underage titles with the club. He went on to captain them to the Junior ‘B’ hurling title in 1992 and was an integral part of the Junior ‘A’ football winning team of 1999. He represented Wexford at senior football level.
After retiring from playing, he devoted himself to training the next generation and spent endless hours training the youngsters in Mayglass primary school in recent years, where he was hugely popular with the students. The seeds that he has sown with the younger generation will live on, on the playing fields of Ballymore-Mayglass, and beyond, for many years to come.
He was an avid follower of the Wexford hurling team throughout his life, with the 1996 success bringing him great joy. The last Wexford match he attended was last June’s championship win over Kilkenny, the team’s first since 2004, which was poignantly fitting.
William also had a great love of horse racing and was a very proud member of the the ‘Ten Shook Men’ syndicate, which had many successes. He loved attending race meetings in Aintree and Cheltenham, along with local race meetings.
William married the love of his life Jenny Finn in 2004 and went onto to have two sons, Seán and Rory, of whom he was immensely proud: they made his life complete.
William’s enduring quality was his kindness and gentle nature, calling in on his mother Gertie every day since his father’s passing in 2009.
William spent his final days back at his family home in Pettitstown, with his family and a close group of loyal friends, where many stories of a life lived to the full, but all too short, were recounted, and his beautiful smile was evident until the end. The love and care shown to him during his final days were testament to the man he was.
William’s funeral mass took place place in St Fintan’s Church, Mayglass, on April 10 with a massive crowd in attendance. His brother Daragh, in the eulogy, spoke of William’s fun loving attitude towards life, his sporting success, his kind and gentle nature, and his love for his family, which ultimately defined who he was.
William loved his music and he was immensely proud of who he was and where he came from, and it was fitting that one of his favourite songs ‘Boolavogue’ was sang as he was brought to his final resting place beside his late father Frank.
The Doyle family would like to sincerely thank the nurses at Wexford General Hospital, palliative care, Wexford Hospice Homecare, and the wonderful carers who made it possible for William to spend his final days at home with his family and friends.
William will be deeply missed by: his wife Jenny; his sons Seán and Rory; his mother Gertie; sisters Maria and Siobhán; brother Daragh; motherin-law Margo; father-in-law Jimmy; brothers-in-law Sam, George, Mike, Neil; sister-in-law Winny; nephews Conor and Harry; nieces Katy and Ruby; his wider family and friends; his customers in Bridgetown, and his beloved St Fintan’s GAA Club.
William’s month’s mind Mass will take place on Friday, May 4, at St Fintan’s Church, Mayglass, at 7.30 p.m.
He will forever remain in the hearts of his family and friends.