Well wishes as Lavey couple retire

There was an air of sadness but also excitement in Lavey last Thursday at what the future holds after Gerry and Marian Gray retired from the local filling station.

Mainstays of the community for the past 34 years, they recently decided the time had come for them to switch off the pumps for the final time.

Having first taken on the business in 1988 when they leased it from James Mulligan, they bought it outright three years later. And it’s gone from strength to strength since with the Grays building it into the successful business it is today.

Working with the Spar group for 18 years, the filling station has operated under the Centra franchise since.

“We had many long days but we enjoyed our work,” says Marian. “We made many friends in the shop.”

What started as a small shop on the side of a busy road has grown and expanded into the filling station that’s a familiar stop on the N3.

“We kept building bits on to it and it got easier then as the years went by. We had great times here in Lavey. You couldn’t ask to be in a better community and better crowd of people,” said Gerry at Thursday’s party.

There was a good crowd at the busy filling station for the small retirement party as Gerry and Marian stepped away. Family, friends, staff and customers were all on hand to congratulate the popular couple.

Gerry also praised the commitment of staff and the loyalty of the customers when he gave a short speech on the day.

“Myself and Marian would like to thank you all very sincerely for your support and your custom down through the years. It’s very, very much appreciated. A very big thank you too to Louise and all the staff down through the years. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

There were plenty of presents and regaling of past stories but the couple are quick to thank everyone who has been in touch over the past few weeks.

“Thank you to all the people that sent us cards and gifts and online messages for our retirement and all the masses and get well cards Marian received.

“I hope we get a few years to enjoy the fruits of our labour,” says Marian.

The business has been taken over by Raman Bansal on behalf of Musgraves under the Centra brand and the filling station remains open.