Kieran
Dore: an obituary
TRIBUTES
have been paid to one of Newton Abbot’s unsung heroes who has died of cancer at
the age of 68.
Kieran
Dore was a familiar face around town having been born in Woodlands Road in
1951.
He
attended St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and later Cuthbert Mayne School,
Torquay.
After
serving as an apprentice bricklayer for Ipplepen building firm F A Quick Kieran signed up for six years in the Royal Engineers.
He
went on to work for construction firm Hugh Mills and Gaye and assisted with the
extension to the town’s market.
When
Denbury Camp was converted into HM
Prison Channings Wood, Kieran joined the Prison Service and rose to be in charge
of the building section.
He
retired at the age of 55 but secured a job with Torbay Council as a maintenance engineer.
In
2014 the authority wanted to move his post from Torquay to Brixham but Kieran
didn’t like the thought so applied for the job as handyman with Newton Abbot
Town Council.
In
that role he was often seen around town, assisting with the busy events
schedule.
Kieran,
a keen athlete and marathon runner, was also the man fit and lithe enough to
don the ‘Newton’ character costume when promoting town projects.
Town
Development Manager Sally Henley said: ‘Nothing was ever a problem for Kieran.
He would bend over backwards whenever I needed help with an event in the town,
whether it was the setting up of the Christmas grotto in the clock tower or
sorting out gazebos and chairs for a Saturday morning town centre performance.
‘His
energy, enthusiasm and relentless good humour made light work of tasks and it
is difficult to grasp that he has been taken from us so unexpectedly. I will
miss him terribly.’
Kieran
served as an active member of Newton Abbot Carnival Committee and treasurer for
Newton Abbot Athletics Club.
He
helped train youngsters, qualified as a race
starter for national events and was instrumental in
establishing the Bovey Tracey Park Runs.
He
was a season ticket holder for Exeter Chiefs RFC.
Lifelong
friend Cllr Mike Ryan said: ‘We both grew up together in Woodlands Road on
Buckland as neighbours between the 1950s and late 70s.
‘We
did the usual things as teenagers with our other mates but always kept in touch
after we went our separate ways when we met our girlfriends and got married.
‘Kieran
has been my best mate for many years and I will miss him dreadfully. He
was kind, considerate and willing to help anyone at the drop of a hat and he
was there if you needed a shoulder to cry on.
‘He
loved all his children and grandchildren.
‘Thank
you Kieran, you were taken from us far too soon you will never be forgotten God
Bless.’
Kieran
is survived by five children and nine grandchildren.
