Heartfelt tributes were paid at Monday night’s (November 25) monthly meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council, following the death of former Mayor of Craigavon, Alan Locke.
George Alan Locke passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024 at Craigavon Area Hospital. He had been Mayor of Craigavon Borough Council in 1979-1980.
His daughter, Hilary Doyle, works as an officer in the Democratic Services department of ABC Council, and she was very much in councillors’ thoughts as they paid their tributes to the late gentleman.
At the start of Monday night’s ABC monthly meeting, ABC Lord Mayor, Cllr Sarah Duffy commented: “This month we heard of the sad passing of former member and Mayor of Craigavon, Cllr Alan Locke.
“Alan was also the father of our friend and colleague Hilary Doyle, and I’m now going to ask Cllr Julie Flaherty to lead us in our tributes to Alan and his family.”
The UUP representative for Portadown DEA stated: “At the beginning of the month, we had a lovely service of thanksgiving for the life of Mr George Alan Locke in Edenderry Presbyterian Church.
“It was a most beautiful service and I do hope that the attendance and respect for Alan was felt by the family, and in particular in this place may I send our condolences to Hilary – Alan’s daughter.
“Hilary, you may have no regrets, and please take your time to rest and grieve.
“Alan is fondly remembered as a dedicated public servant and pillar of the Ulster Unionist Party, and he leaves behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to his community and his country.
“He was utterly dedicated to service and local government business, and the wider community.
“He served as an Ulster Unionist councillor for over 20 years in what would now be part of my DEA in Portadown.
“In serving as Mayor of Craigavon in 1989, he exemplified leadership, integrity, and a great care for the people he represented.
“He was a founding member of the South Ulster Housing Association. Indeed, his former home in Thomas Street was named Locke House, in recognition of his contribution.
“He was a great advocate for local business and has been remembered with pride as a long-serving member of Portadown Chamber of Commerce.
“But he was more than a politician, he was a man of principle and compassion – and fun too – and always striving to bring people together and uplift his community.
“His years of service as a veteran Ulster Unionist demonstrated his steadfast dedication to the values he held dear, and his vision for a better Northern Ireland.
“To his family, friends and colleagues, he was not only a leader but a mentor, and a source of inspiration.
“For many of us, his passing aged 95 may mark the end of an era, but his contributions in the lives he touched will remain his enduring legacy.”
Alderman Stephen Moutray (DUP, Lurgan DEA) explained he had known Mr Locke for a very long time: “I knew Alan since the time he was on council, even long before I ever came on council.
“Alan was ahead of his time. Whenever he was in this council he was an excellent representative, not only of his party and his town, but also of the borough of Craigavon in the 1970s and 1980s.
“Alan was not only well known on council, but in business across this borough and further afield.”
Cllr Peter Lavery (Alliance, Lurgan DEA) paid his own tribute too: “On behalf of the Alliance group, we want to share our condolences as well to Alan’s family, and in particular his daughter Hilary. He is fondly remembered right across the community.”
Alderman Paul Berry (Independent, Cusher DEA) echoed other councillors’ remarks: “I attended the service of thanksgiving for the late Alan Locke, and it was a very fitting and beautiful service.
“It really did outline the busy life of Alan Locke, not just as a family man but as a businessman and also a community representative. Everything he did, he did with distinction, pride and compassion.
“Obviously I would sympathise with one of our staff members, Hilary, on the loss of her father.
“One word that would come out when you think of Alan Locke, and that’s ‘gentleman’, and that’s exactly what Alan Locke was – a gentleman to everybody that met him.”
Cllr Thomas O’Hanlon (SDLP, Armagh DEA) had a particular thought for Hilary Doyle: “I didn’t know him, but obviously would know Hilary through her work here.
“They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, so if you listen to the tributes to Mr Locke, all those tributes that have been bestowed upon him have been passed on to Hilary, so I want to be associated with those remarks, and add my condolences to the Locke family.”
Cllr Keith Ratcliffe (TUV, Cusher DEA) wished to pass on his condolences to the family circle as well: “It’s very clear Mr Locke was a fantastic councillor and a very successful businessman, and I think it’s fantastic that this has been brought to the council chamber tonight.
“I’d like to pass on my condolences to Hilary and all the family circle on a sad passing.”
Cllr Catherine Nelson (Sinn Féin, Craigavon DEA) was last to pay tribute to the late Craigavon Mayor: “On behalf of our grouping, I just want to send heartfelt condolences to Hilary on the loss of her dear daddy Alan.
“Hilary is such a family person, and they’re clearly values that have been instilled in her by her father who, I have no doubt, spent a lifetime being so proud of Hilary and the grandchildren that she has given to him.
“So I just want to let her know that our thoughts are with her, and we’ll keep her in our prayers.”
