Town 'bus man' dies

Davy died when he suffered a heart attack at the wheel of his car on the Tandragee Road on Friday.

The family told how the loving father had died how he lived - behind the wheel.

The 68-year-old was best known as the driving force and friendly face behind Gemini Coach Hire, which he established in 1988.

His son Stephen said: “He loved driving and he loved a wee bet. He was driving to the bookies when he passed away.”

Davy was born on June 2, 1941 in Holywood in County Down. He was the eldest and only son of Emily and Harry and had five sisters.

Davy married Patricia in 1966 and they moved to Craigavon in 1969. The couple celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary just four days before Davy’s tragic death on January 4.

Together they had five children - Kathy, Stephen, Alison, Jonathan and Davina - 15 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Davy, always a hard worker, began coach driving with Sureline and later developed his own coach hire company named proudly after his star sign - Gemini.

It was through this role Davy earned the respect of so many for the professional yet humble manner in which he carried out his work.

He took busloads to the bingo, brought excited children on school trips, and had a major contract with UTV.

Davy was a popular figure amongst the Arena crowd, who knew him as Marjorie Proops, given that he spent so many Saturday nights resolving lovers’ tiffs on the way to and from the Armagh nightspot.

Last February, in the same week Davy sold his bus company, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

His family feared the worst, but Davy battled the disease and the last year spent close to home afforded Davy some quality time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom he cherished dearly.

The Craigavon man’s love of driving knew no bounds.

After battling cancer Davy took an interest in gardening. Even then he had to be driving.

“He had a ride-on mower and he cut the grass every day just to get a wee drive,” recalled Alison.

“No matter what he was doing he had to be driving.”

Kathy said: “In all the years driving he never had an accident.”

Stephen added: “Whenever I’d been away anywhere driving and came back and told him how many miles I’d done he’d always say “When you’ve driven as far as I’ve reversed, come back and talk to me about driving”.”

Davy was fond of the odd flutter on the horses, but earned a reputation as a bit of a 'scud'.

And not without reason. For his 60th birthday in 2001 the family planned to fulfil a lifelong dream of Davy’s by sending him to Cheltenham.

However, the big racing event got cancelled that particular year because of foot and mouth.

Alison commented: “He died as he lived - behind the wheel and on the way to the bookies where he never failed to make a daily donation. Even last year when he was in hospital he had his dedicated team of runners.”

Kathy said: “My lasting memory of him is on Christmas Day, just passed, playing with the kids. The craic that day was unbelievable. I’ve never seen him happier.”

“He’s left lots of happy memories,” said Alison.

There was a huge turn out for Davy’s funeral, which was on Monday, from his home on the Drumgask Road to St Anthony’s.

St Brendan’s Primary School choir sung at the funeral and children from the school held a guard of honour for Davy, who was laid to rest in St John’s Cemetery, Lylo.