Mr Willie Doherty, Lower Grange, Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny, who died at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, on Sunday April, April 21. Willie studied Agriculture at the Albert College, Dublin, (now UCD, Glasnevin) in the 1930s and was a tillage inspector during the war years with the Irish Land Commission. A retired farmer who never retired from community life, he was a true volunteer in many areas of his life, whether it was sport, business, education or politics. He played an active role in local business. Willie was a member of the Barrowvale (Avonmore) Creamery committee, to which he contributed at both local and regional levels. His family recall how he could regularly attend two or three meetings on the same night. In addition, he was a founding member of the Goresbridge Credit Union, almost 25 years ago. He was chairman up until the day he died, having attended one of their regular meetings the previous week. At the opening of their new premises 15 years ago, Willie recalled how far they had come, from humble beginnings, to today where they now had additional branches in Gowran, Paulstown, Borris and Skeaghvosteen. His input to sport was wide and extended, from GAA to handball, badminton, horseracing and pitch & putt. He was a former chairman of the local Barrow Rangers GAA club (Goresbridge/Paulstown) for over 26 years and was a founding member of both the handball and badminton clubs in Goresbridge. However, his commitment to community sport extended beyond his local home town, as he was also very active in the Gowran pitch & putt club, not only as a playing member but also as treasurer of the club for many years. He was one of a number of strong committee members, who turned the club into one of the best P&P clubs in the county. Willie frequently won prizes himself and continued playing into his late seventies. As a member of the Pitch & Putt Union of Ireland, he travelled many a mile to supervise pitch & putt tournaments. His work didn't go unnoticed both members of the Gowra pitch & putt club and the Pitch & Putt Union of Ireland formed a guard of honour at the removal of his remains to The Church of the Most Holy Trinity, where they were received by Fr Tom McDonald, PP. He was a staunch member of the Fianna Fail Party, being a member of the Goresbridge Cumann. Willie had, in his younger days been actively involved with the party, particularly at election time. A Pioneer for over 50 years, Willie was for many years chairman of the Goresbridge PTAA. In addition, he was a trustee of St Brigid's Secondary School, Goresbridge for some years. Willie's mind was alert to the end. He was a strong believer in keeping the mind active and completed at least one crossword a day for many years. Aged 85, Willie died after a brief period of hospitalisation. He is survived by his wife, Kitty (nee Murphy), son Philip and daughters, Marian, Brid and Catherine, as well as relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. Courtesy of the Kilkenny People June 2002 Tweet

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