Richard Doyle (13 Sep 1925 - 19 Aug 2017)

Eulogy for Richard from his brother, Barry Doyle

(read for us by Richard's nephew, Bernard Millen)

Richard was born on the 13th of September 1925 on Coney Island, the last child born on the Island. He was very proud of this and took to himself the title ‘King of Coney’. It was never challenged.

My wife Delta embroidered a tee shirt for him appropriate to his title. He wore this with pride on formal occasions when, as King, his presence was needed, eg the switching on of electric power supply to the Island by the Minister just a few years ago.

As well as being ‘King of Coney’, Richard was the ‘Metal Man’ of his mother and siblings and, later on, for his wife and children too. Between Coney Island and Rosses point, flow most treacherous waters. These waters have taken the lives of many. In the middle of these, stands the Metal Man.

When the Atlantic thrusts its force into Sligo Bay, small boats making the crossing are in peril. The Metal Man provides shelter from the currents and without it the crossing would be more dangerous and at times impossible. So it is, with the crossing from childhood to adulthood the dangers are many, Richard like the Metal Man guarded our family from this treacherous crossing.

The Metal Man displays a light and points a finger to guide. So it was with Richard. His guidance was unerring. Proof of that, is the safety and security with which the whole family reached success in adulthood.

The family was struck by ‘outrageous fortune.’ “We lost the Da”, as my mother said.

Richard, on his 13th birthday, stepped into the gap and filled it, and filled it well, becoming the leader and main provider for the family. To me eleven years younger, he filled the roles of both brother and father.
He met his beautiful wife, Alison, t age 30 and swept her off her feet. They married in 1956 and quickly had a large family of their own, sons Gordon and John, then three daughters, Jacqueline, Alison and Christine. This family grew to include his 10 grandchildren, Raymond, Rose, Carla, Maryam, Katherine, Catriona, Robert, Shona, Andrew and Fergus. A few months ago, Richard became more than grand - he became Great Grandfather to Finlay Doyle. Alison, and their family are here today.
Though tempted, I will not keep you with those anecdotes and memories so splendidly presented and illustrated by everyone in his online obituary notice. I will not talk of “Alf”. His first car ALF824 which had the reliability of a watch won at a side show for shooting ducks with a crooked slug gun. Nor of the ‘runs’ that Ma sent us on with him to Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, The Borders etc… all very, very challenging. Nor of his wonderful quality as a son, taking our mother to Paris and Rome, when most women of her time had not got past the washhouse. Nor of his going off to join the Scots Guards and service in Italy and Trieste as Private R.V. Doyle 2702822.

Allow me just one memory! When I stood on the gang plank of The Capitan Cook saying farewell to my family aged 16, Richard took out his wallet and without opening it, in his renowned generosity, handed the wallet to me and said, “Good luck, you will need this.” I still have the wallet, though the contents are long gone.

When I reached adulthood, Richard was a great friend, drinking buddy, travelling companion and terrifying driver! I, like everyone will miss him greatly. He was famous in Edinburgh for his love of dancing, music,
sailing and providing tours to the many Doyle relatives and friends to visited his beloved city.

I am sorry I cannot be at the funeral but my first Grandchild Braden and my nephew Bernard will help to represent me and all the antipodean families of Richard's late sisters, Phyllis (Mary) and Margaret and their families, and Delta and I and our family.

Richard though born in Ireland was a true flower of Scotland. When will we see his likes again?

My mother always talked of Richard and how he took on the role of providing for the family when "They lost their Da". Ricchard certainly took his role as Head of the Clan and seemed to know everyone of us. He would often ring randomly to have a chat and check in how my Grandson Raven was doing as the eldest of the 4th generation and if he was shaping up.
I managed to get to Edinburgh twice to see Richard and Alison. Richard gave me the full whirlwind tour of family history. It was amazing and all his stories of life. An incredible life that he choose to live and not deal on tragedy.
The photo of the Leith Boxing Club he stopped and told me it was where he would take Grannie Doyle. He said they had wrestling as well and often would have to pull his Ma off the referee if the match wasn't going her way.!!! I could certainly picture her in boots and all. I should say "highheels" which she loved.
Thank you Alison for so readily sharing Richard with us all at the drop of a hat and making your home open to all. My newphew Jules (Paul's son) loved his stay with you both earlier this year.
Another highlight was when I came in 2005 and got to attend Richard 80th and meet lots of family again. What a night that was. But a favourite was when he took us out to a Jazz Club I loved every minute I'd never been before.
Blessings and love to you all Helen

Most times when I went home to Edinburgh uncle Richard would turn up in his car. And I have to say he was great in that way, he was always available to drive you around places. A few times I would arrive home with a girlfriend in tow and Richard would turn up and drive off with her! Leaving me behind somewhat nonplussed!

What a great grandad and role model you've been, ill miss you dearly but also remember you in so many amazing ways - those brightly coloured Hawaiian shirts; your consistent attitude of responsibility, strength and perseverance; the numerous great stories of your life that you shared with me; the "Halloo" when you answered the phone; the life lessons and wealth of knowledge you passed on; that gulping noise you would deliberately do to make me laugh as a kid; your love of the sea and sailing; your brilliant ponytails; all the whisky in the world; your generosity, smiles, grizzly-bearded-hugs, pound coins, toblerones and all; your adventurous travels and late nights out which definitely inspired me to be curious about the world from such a young age - the list goes on and on! I always respected how hard-working and strong-minded you were but still with such a fun thirst for living life to its fullest!

One of my favourite memories of us was going sailing in your boat and very nearly capsizing because I was on the wrong side - but we managed to stay dry in the end.

Love you a billion Grandad! Xxxx

Uncle Richard - …family history and telling his own journey to Edinburgh, Coney tales and the rules of visiting there, educational tours around the city or out of town to visit family or Scottish history, out on the town - pub crawls or to a club for a dance - of course I could never say no ;-), stories of selling telephones or insurance, many invites to the family home for events or just a cup of tea (thanks Alison) and flicking through the teletext looking for a travel deal, one to many a whiskey (and all that brings) with his friends of all ages, …the list goes on.

Besides Uncle, a friend during my time living in Edinburgh. The random knock on the door of the flat, the studio or call to chat about the ups and downs of life. The very special times were sailing his Soling (not race like Liam Casey). Besides all the fun had, I discovered this was the only time one could tell him to shut-up, to get a word in and he certainly couldn't just say "let's go" we are leaving to the next pub (after just taking your coat off) or something - this enabled long balanced conversations and/or checking things out together - sailing under the forth bridge and cruising up and down the firth while teaching me to read the water for wind - while at times really cranking the speed up, cracking the salt spraying wave - he on the helm flicking his long white grey hair, me on the sails. Other times (believe it or not) we would just sail, in silence and enjoy the stillness of no words but communication between two.

I grew to understand Richard enjoyed a humorous game of sorts with things…that 'He-lloooo' before the season, he would ring a number of times and ask if his crew was around (myself been the only one and making out that there were loads of others) for the season before he would put the boat in the water, if not he said he'd sell the boat, etc - we did 3 seasons until the 4th, which I couldn't do. I think this was the end of his Soling sailing days. (Did he put the boat in the water in 2000 or beyond?).

Thanks Richard for all, your generous spirit, your laughter, your tales, your dress sense and everything you did for the family.

I wish I could be there with all the family and friends to celebrate your life and send you off…I'm sure you'll want us all to have a jolly good wake.

Love and good-bye, Gregory

So many memories of grandad and Bonaly: the signature 'He-lloooo' on picking up the phone, cereal with full fat milk, endless lessons on the stock market, and the ritual of him forcing a £20 note in my hand at the end of any visit. Of course all his stories from travelling the world, and the T-shirts and hats to match, and being able to point out Nana & Grandad's house by saying 'it's the one with a crown on the garage'. When we moved back down to England, I used to get reports from my old school friends that he'd been spotted out on the dance floor in town... a life most definitely lived!

ELEGY TO THE KING OF CONEY

How do we measure a life lived?
Material success, relationships, children, what they did/achieved?
Getting philosophical?
Richard Doyle was a unique and unforgettable character alongside Michael Leydon and John McGowan.
Richard and Michael saw and travelled the world in their different ways while John McGowan has stayed on Coney Island all his life.
Only John McGowan is now left at the age of 80.
All three men have had to deal with tragic events in their lives.
Yet they struggled, carried on and prevailed.
Richard was born on Coney island.
I remember him talking about the day his father came back to the mainland and was in a state of mental breakdown.
Richard stated if that defining dreadful event hadn’t happened he probably would not have become the successful man that he did.
This is a paradox , tragedy can lead to success.
How can you measure the act of Richard at 16/17 years age, taking responsibility and organising and bringing the family over to Scotland at the outbreak of the war? You can’t.
He remained a big brother to Roseleen Ferguson all his life , looking out for her through good times and bad.
He was also this to the other brothers and sisters in the family and was generous with the extended family as well.
How can you measure that ? You can’t.
The mist can descend on the strand sometimes when walking to Coney island and people appear like apparitions and walk past silently and then are gone, vanishing as if forever.
Richard Doyle has now joined the apparitions in the mist on the strand.
The king of Coney is gone but not forgotten
Next time I visit Coney Island, I see if I can find that silver mine that use to talk about.

I vividly remember uncle richard as a larger than life figure whom my mother Mary adored. He came out to visit us in New Zealand when I was about eight and when he left he gave us all money !!! It seemed like a fortune !!
When my mother Mary died I couldn't go to her funeral so I went to Edinburgh to spend the day with Richard. He was so kind and took me to the church where my parents got married. We also drove past Maderia st in Leith where the family had lived . We spent a long time in the pub while Richard told me of their childhood . It helped me enormously. Rest in peace Richard.