Dervan, Billy
August 31, 2005
The Late Billy Dervan
The Loughrea Community recently lost one of its long time citizens with the death of Billy Dervan, late of Abbey Street, Loughrea. Billy was known the length and breadth of the country and his funeral in St. Brendan's Cathedral, Loughrea bore testament to his popularity.
Billy Dervan came to Loughrea in the 1930s having been born and reared in the parish of Ballinakill. He began his working life in Joe Greene's shop on Main Street, where he served his time as a shop assistant. From there he moved to Tom Long's Drapery Shop and then with a good knowledge of the retail trade he decided to open his own Grocery Shop on Abbey Street.
Billy had diverse interests and soon he began to operate a small bus company. His bus was known far and wide with its nameplate reading "Duckie". From small beginnings he built a thriving business and today buses much larger then the original "Duckie" travel our roads, still under the Dervan name.
During his long career Billy Dervan made many friends. He drove to the four corners of Ireland on school tours, bingo runs, match runs, outings and pilgrimages. People enjoyed his company because he was a great conversationalist and raconteur.
Billy had a long association with Leitrim Ceili Band who were All Ireland Ceili Band Champions in 1959 and 1961. He started off as their driver and finished up as their Manager. He fostered friendships that endured through the years and was also a keen follower of the G.A.A., having been a sub on the Galway Minor Hurling team and on the 1941 Loughrea Team who were County Champions that year.
In recent years he had slowly retired from business. He died peacefully, having borne illness bravely and having lived life to the full.
He is survived by his sons Mike Dervan, Kilrickle, Liam Dervan, Loughrea and his daughter, Ann Kerrigan, Loughrea and their families.
Courtesy of the Connacht Tribune
19th August 2005
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