A well-known retired publican with ’a heart of gold’ has died at the age of 72.
Ray Corkhill, who ran the Railway Inn in Union Mills for 17 years, died peacefully in Noble’s Hospital following a long battle with illness.
The Douglas man died on Sunday (May 31). Many tributes have been paid to Mr Corkhill, who was a founding member of the Vagabonds Rugby Club (VRC).
David Ratcliffe, licensee of The Old Market Inn in Douglas, said: ’Over the last few years Ray became a regular in The Old Market Inn and we had some great nights playing cribbage and generally insulting each other, in a warm and friendly manner of course!
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’We’ll miss him, the banter, the fun and the friendship.’
Robert McAleer of The Thirsty Pigeon pub, in Douglas, said: ’We had been friends for 50 years. He was one of my ushers when I got married and I used to play squash with him. He was very sociable, amenable and very good company.’
Close friend, Ian Allsey, said: ’He was a kind man who had a heart of gold. It was always his goal to have his own pub. He did so in partnership with his then-girlfriend Celia Morgan. It was run down, but he put his heart and soul into refurbishing it.’
Born in Douglas, Mr Corkhill later attended Douglas High School with his brother and three sisters.
His career included time at the Isle of Man Bank, various government roles and managing a successful planning consultancy business.
In 1998 he became part of Celia’s family, treating her children Erica and Andy as his own. Erica said: ’With Ray’s enthusiasm and personality the Railway Inn was reopened and with Ray’s particular interest in serving real ales they achieved pub of the year on a number of occasions.
’Rugby was never far from his thoughts and many will remember his proud support of Wales in the six nations!
’Most importantly, Ray was a great friend to many. He was always willing to help anyone in any way he can and will be missed by all of his family and friends. He died peacefully after a short illness and we are sure that he will be looking down enjoying a glass of red with his old friends.’