Warm tributes to retired NI doctor who died in Spain following stroke

TRIBUTES have been paid to a retired GP from Northern Ireland who passed away in Spain following a stroke.

Dr Eamon MacSorley (87) died last Thursday at a Costa Del Sol Hospital in Marbella.

In recent years he and his wife Ita had been spending around six months each year living in the Fuengirola region of Malaga.

The retired Belfast medic was a respected member of St Jo- seph’s Church in Fuengirola, who described him as “a good, beautiful and a holy man”.

A family notice said he was also the loving father of Jane Garrido and the late Emma Reed who passed away two years ago.

The church have offered their assistance to the family adding: “No words could adequately express our sorrow and grief at his passing.”

A dedicated mass was also held for Dr MacSorley in Spain over the weekend.

Michael Ruddy is the secretary oftheStJoseph’sChapelandhad been good friends with Dr MacSorley for several years.

“He came out here on holiday and was very active in the church which has an English speaking masseveryday,”hesaid.

“His daughter Emma Reed died two years ago of cancer and that hit him hard.

“Hewasexceptionallypopular out here — he would even give us the odd bit of medical advice. I remember one occasion where my wife got a prescription from him and was sent up to the lo- cal chemist. She was told if there was any problems to just say Dr Eamon sent her.

“I know the MacSorley family had a big GP practice in Belfast and I believe his father before him established a practice.”

While he returned to Belfast last July, Dr MacSorley’s health suffered after he had a number of strokes.

“We thought we were going to lose him, he was very ill at the time,” Mr Ruddy said.

“And he took another stroke last weekend and never recov- ered and passed away early on Thursday morning. Everyone who met him loved him, including the local population. He was a quiet and unassuming man.

“He was with us at mass only two weeks ago. He took the stroke and was taken to the intensive care unit in Marbella and passed away in his sleep there.

“It’s left the community here absolutely devastated.”

It is understood Dr MacSorley’s remains will be returned to Northern Ireland for his funeral in due course.