Tributes paid to Tandragee businessman and churchman Herbert Smyth

By Carmel Robinson
Published 26th Apr 2023, 16:01 BST
Updated 26th Apr 2023, 16:01 BST
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Tributes have been paid to Tandragee businessman and former councillor Herbert Smyth JP, who has died after an illness. He was 86.

Mr Smyth, a Coleraine man, came to Tandragee as a young man and ran a very successful furniture and fancy goods store and estate agency for most of 50 years.

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Herbert Smyth, recently retired clerk of session of Tandragee Presbyterian Church, receives a presentation from the church minister the Rev George McClelland. Picture: Roy Vogan, Tandragee.Herbert Smyth, recently retired clerk of session of Tandragee Presbyterian Church, receives a presentation from the church minister the Rev George McClelland. Picture: Roy Vogan, Tandragee.
Herbert Smyth, recently retired clerk of session of Tandragee Presbyterian Church, receives a presentation from the church minister the Rev George McClelland. Picture: Roy Vogan, Tandragee.

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He was also the independent chairman of the nine-member Tandragee Urban Council in the 1960s/early 1970s before local government reorganisation in 1973.

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A leading Presbyterian in the Co Armagh town, Herbert (Herbie) Smyth was clerk of the session and ruling elder at the local congregation for more than half a century.

He was also involved in Tandragee Development Initiative Limited.

Mr Smyth was also involved in a number of charitable groups including Tandragee and Poyntzpass Patients Comfort Fund.

He is survived by his wife Betty, brother John and sister Rhoda.

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News Letter journalist Billy Kennedy, who has lived in the Co Armagh town for 50 years, described Herbert Smyth as a highly popular and successful businessman, public representative and churchman.

"Herbie was an honourable man who towns people respectfully came to know as 'Mr Tandragee',” said Mr Kennedy.

"He was a pillar in our community," said Mr Kennedy.

Mr Smyth will be buried after a service in Tandragee Presbyterian Church on Friday at noon.

The family has asked for family flowers only please, donations for the benefit of Tandragee Presbyterian Church via www.MilneFuneralServices.co.uk/donate or cheques made payable to Tandragee Presbyterian Church c/o Milne Funeral Services, 59 Seagoe Road, Portadown, BT63 5HS.

Related topics:Coleraine