Former head of Tullamore Dew dies

Former MD of Tullamore Dew and Irish Mist and the man behind the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre Bill Jaffray died this week after a long illness. In his 85th year, Mr Jaffray of the aptly named 'Misty Lodge' in Spollanstown passed away in the care of staff at Carthage's Nursing Home in Mucklagh. Locals have joined this week to remember a "real gentleman". "He was a very charming, very charitable man," Mucklagh parish priest Fr McEvoy said. Tadhg O'Brien, the most recent Chair of the Board of the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre who himself took over the role when Mr Jaffray stepped down, remembered Mr Jaffray as "very correct in every way, a real gentleman". Mr Jaffray worked all his life with Tullamore Dew, rising to MD level. He was also behind the setting up of the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre. "Tullamore has lost a great benefactor," Mr O'Brien said on Thursday, adding that throughout his life Mr Jaffray was "always very supportive of any development in the town". Offaly Heritage Officer Amanda Pedlow worked with Mr Jaffray as the first manager of the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre. He would have called in to the centre regularly, she remembered, and had "a huge interest and huge passion in making it succeed to the best possible standard". More recently Ms Pedlow had dealings with Mr Jaffray in her role as Heritage Officer. In 2005 Offaly County Council commissioned Maurice O'Keeffe to complete oral history recordings. One of the local people interviewed for the project was Mr Jaffray, and a recording of his interview is currently available for loan at Tullamore library. Marketing manager Kevin Abrook at William Grant and Sons Irish Brands Ltd, the company that owns Tullamore Dew, worked with Mr Jaffray for many years and remembers him fondly. "Bill was extremely knowledgeable, dedicated and committed to Tullamore Dew," he said. "Even in retirement he was so passionate about the brand - I'm sure he must have driven the family mad at times! He was the driving force behind setting up the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre, which might not have happened bu for his energy. Yet despite his drive he was always mild-mannered and courteous. We will remember him most as the perfect gentleman in all his dealings with people. Our deepest sympathy to Kathleen and the family." Mr Jaffray is predeceased by his sister Teresa and brothers James, Patrick and Vincent. He is deeply missed by his wife Kathleen, children Catriona, Grainne, Brian and Niamh along with sisters Laurie and Mary, grandchildren Daniel, Cara, Eoin, Simon, Andrew and Brady, sons-in-law Jim, Kenny and Jim and daughter-in-law Caroline. His body reposed at Carthage's Nursing Home in Mucklagh yesterday evening (Thursday) from 5pm to 7pm, before private removal this morning arriving at the Church of the Assumption in Tullamore for 10am Mass and burial afterwards in Clonminch Cemetery.