Trading in and around Ballymoney for almost 40 years before retiring, Mr Samuel Rea Esler — a stalwart of the town — sadly passed away peacefully on Tuesday (August 9).
Making his final trade back in 2011 from his second-hand business on Charles Street, known by many as just Rea, he became a prominent and popular businessman in the town, having owned & operated many successful businesses over the years.
From running the most successful supermarket at the time on Queens Street, now part of the Soar franchise, many still referred to it as just ‘Eslers’. Rea also ran a newsagents, which once won the title ‘Newsagents of the Year’.
His other business ventures included a local cafe, sweet shop and ‘Rea’s Mini Market’, even putting an ice cream van on the road throughout the town and neighbouring villages.
Eventually retiring in 2011 after closing his second-hand business, Rea told the Ballymoney times: “Ballymoney has been good to me and so to have the people. I have had many successful businesses, including Eslers Newsagents, and would like to thank everyone for their support and commitment over the years.”
Survived by wife Pamela, daughter Donna and son Jonathan, Mr Esler will be laid to rest after a service in James McMullan and Son Funeral Home on Thursday at 11.30 am, followed by interment in Ballymoney Cemetery.
Our sympathies with the wider family circle at this sad time.
