May 16, 2003 – St. Thomas, or at least the Irish part of St. Thomas, lost more than a wee bit of its flavor last weekend, when long-time entrepreneur and all-around Irishman William Minogue, 63, died Saturday in Port Henry, N.Y.
Minogue had moved to St. Thomas in the mid-60s, after suffering a major injury as a New York City fireman. Minogue had broken his back, and his St. Thomas pal, Joe Blyden, sent him a ticket to come to St. Thomas to recover.
Minogue did much more than recover; he adopted St. Thomas as his home. He quickly became one of the island's more popular bartenders, opening Seanchai on Back Street in the early 70s where he presided with his own brand of wry humor.
He bought the Embers Guest House at least 20 years ago, according to his 22-year-old son, Seamus. The Embers was a growing concern with Minogue, who was always adding little dwellings and bits of this and that to the property, including a stone "hurricane shelter," which he built with stonemason Lind Weber. Minogue used to joke that it also could serve him as "mausoleum on property."
Wherever he went, Minogue held court, lapsing into brogue from time to time when it suited his fancy. He was born on Aug. 18, 1939, and raised in his native Ireland. His most recent gathering place was the Frenchtown Deli, where he livened up the early mornings sparring verbally with his coffee buddies.
Minogue moved from St. Thomas to Port Henry, N.Y., in February 2002 to be with his children after being diagnosed with leukemia. Along with Seamus, Minogue is survived by a 19-year-old daughter, Eilis, and a 16-year-old son, Liam; by his many friends including Judy, Bill and Will Grogan, Erva A. Denham and her mother, Erva C. Denham, Deacon Bill and Carol Summers, Weber, Jane and Jerry Immel, and Charleen Griffith.
A wake was held for Minogue this week in New York.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.