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Monday, 27 Dec 2021 11:55
Tributes have been paid to Patrick (Paddy) Bewley, a former managing director of Bewley's tea and coffee company, who has died at the age of 77.
Paddy Bewley had been involved with the company for more than 50 years.
His career started at the age of 21 when worked behind the counter, later moving to front of house to serve beans and ground coffee to the public at the Westmoreland Street café.
An innovative business man, he began importing the first Fairtrade Certified coffee to Ireland in 1996.
He was manager of the Westmoreland Street Bewley’s before serving as managing director of the company from 1977 to 2003.
It was Mr Bewley’s great-grandfather, Joshua Bewley, who founded the company in 1840 and his grandfather Ernest expanded the business from Sycamore Alley to South Great George’s Street in Dublin, selling tea and sugar across the counter.
After Joshua’s death, the business was shared between his three sons, Victor, Alfred and Paddy’s father Joe.
Paddy Campbell, whose family acquired the Bewley's business in 1986, said that the late Mr Bewley made a huge contribution to the family business.
"In his own quiet, determined way, Paddy made an immense contribution, not just to the success of Bewley's over the past 35 years, but to improving the lives of others in need.
"Paddy did tireless work for the Hospice Foundation and the Mendicity Institution amongst others.
"He was one of the finest people I have known in my business life, a great sportsman and a true friend indeed."
In 1969, the Swords native married Cork woman Shirley Dagg and they later settled in Dalkey in Dublin.
Apart from his dedication to his business and charity work, throughout his life he was passionate about rugby, golf as well as skiing.
Mr Bewley is survived by his wife, sons Craig and Simon and six grandchildren.