Taxi driver's widow tells of her love and dismay

Aug 20 2008 by Hilary Clixby, The Journal

THE grieving widow of taxi driver Ray Quigley yesterday spoke of her dismay after the trial of a teenager accused of causing his death collapsed.

Dorothy Quigley described her husband as a wonderful man who loved life, lived for his family and was a role model for their children and grandchildren.

She said she had been devastated by the outcome of the trial, which ended in Dale Patterson’s acquittal on charges of manslaughter and making off without payment after a judge said the prosecution case was fatally flawed.

The retired nurse also said “totally and utterly unfounded” allegations made by Mr Patterson against her husband which were heard by the jury had caused her family great anguish.

“That was the worst possible thing, because Ray’s good name was paramount,” she said, adding that it had been made even more difficult for the family because a legal ruling meant her husband’s impeccable character could not be put before the jury.

But she added: “We have had unbelievable support.

“The phone has never stopped ringing, we have received lots of cards and flowers, even from people we saw at court who had heard about the case.

“The police have been fantastic. They have been kind and compassionate and I cannot praise them enough.”

Mrs Quigley, 68, said she may now consider taking civil action against Mr Patterson.

The couple, of Nursery Lane, Felling, Gateshead, had been married nearly 50 years and have three sons and a daughter and six grandchildren.

Mrs Quigley said she and her family were still struggling to come to terms with Ray’s death, which happened shortly before he was due to retire after nearly 40 years as a taxi driver in Newcastle.

He was a lifelong Sunderland supporter, a devout churchgoer and a regular blood donor who had given 49 pints of blood over the years, although his widow said he never sought reward or favour.

Mrs Quigley said that although the court heard Ray had a severe heart condition, he had been very active, tending their huge garden, playing football with his grandchildren, cycling and taking long woodland walks with her.

“He was the most wonderful man,” she said. “He was funny and witty, the greatest dad who lived for his children.

“He loved life. He used to make the darkest days bright.

“Every day he woke up with a smile and never came downstairs without giving me a hug.

“I was proud to be his wife, privileged to be the mother of his children and I never met his equal.

“The safest place was in his arms. He was just such a giant man and he has been taken away from me.

“It is not really a life when you lose your partner although I have got fantastic children.

“We are all very close. It is a united family.”