The recent death of Peter Doyle marked the end of an era. Peter (85), of Traceystown, was a true gentleman who lived life by older, traditional values. He was also the eldest and last surviving of the famed Doyle brothers, who excelled on the country's handball courts for many years. The eldest of a family of seven, Peter was born and reared in Traceystown, where he spent his life working as a dairy farmer, though he also kept livestock, grew potatoes and did a little bit of everything. In 1966 he married his loving wife Rosaleen (nee Whelan)from kilmore and the couple had eight children; Brigid, Marie, Robert, Anne, Josephine, Christina, Edel and Philip. Peter was a devoted family man, whose first priority was always to ensure the well-being and happiness of his wife and children. A popular figure in his locality, he was a great historian and had a wonderful memory. These attributes, along with his sense of humour, contributed to his storytelling skills, which were well known around the Taghmon area. Peter loved traditional Irish music and was also very interested in sports. he was very proud of his family's history on the handball courts in Wexford and beyond. Handball played a huge part in the lives of the Doyle brothers, who nurtured their talent over the course of countless hours at the old ball alley in Trinity. Representing the Trinity Handball Club, Peter and Frank 'Harvey' O'Neill of Bridgetown reached the All-Ireland Minor Final in 1938. In 1949, Peter and his brother John won the County Senior Softball Doubles title for the first time and they also wont eh All-Ireland Junior Hardball Doubles title that year. John would go on to win seven straight All-Ireland handball doubles titles with John 'Bull' Ryan, while Fr. Phil and Jimmy were also excellent handball players. He was also an accomplished footballer and in 1945 he won the county Junior Championship with Taghmon -Camross. Jimmy and John were also on that team. Peter passed away on July 2 at Wexford General Hospital following an illness and his Requiem Mass took place at St. Fintan's Church, Taghmon on Thursday, July 5. Fr. David Murphy, celebrated the Mass, assisted by Fr. Sean Gorman, while Bishop of Ferns Denis Brennan was also in attendance as a large crowd gathered to bid farewell to a man of great faith. Bishop Brennan paid a glowing tribute to Peter and said that his passing marked not just the death of a man, but of a way of life. Cllr. Leo Carthy also paid tribute to the late Traceystown man. Peter was laid to rest in St. FIntan's Cemetery. He is predeceased by his wife Rosaleen, his brothers John, Jimmy and Fr. Phil and his sister Brid. Peter will be sadly missed by his sons Robert and Philip, daughters Bridget, Marie, Anne, Josephine, Christina and Edel, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, sisters Maggie Morrissey and Mai Tetley-Jones, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends. Courtesy of the Wexford People. July 2007 Tweet

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