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Founder of Irish pub in Walworth will not soon be forgotten

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Founder of Irish pub in Walworth will not soon be forgotten

Scott Williams
Jun 21, 2020
Jun 21, 2020

1 of 6

Lois Gilfoy with her Brandy Old-Fashioned

Even after she sold Sweeney’s Pub in Walworth, Lois Gilfoy remained a regular customer who seldom missed a chance to raise her favorite Brandy Old-Fashioned.

Contributed photo, Regional News

Sweeney's Pub in Walworth

Sweeney’s Pub ...

Contributed photo, Regional News

Lois G. Gilfoy

Lois Gilfoy was born in Chicago and met her future husband, Leo Gilfoy, in a 1950s-era soda fountain shop where she worked behind the counter as a soda jerk.

Lois Gilfoy at Sweeney's Pub in Walworth

Lois Gilfoy, shown at Sweeney’s Pub in Walworth, opened the tavern in 1985 with her husband, Leo Gilfoy, who picked the name and theme in honor of his own Irish heritage.

Contributed photo, Regional News

Lois Gilfoy of Fontana

Lois Gilfoy, who founded Sweeney’s Pub in Walworth with her husband, Leo Gilfoy, kept the historic tavern open even after her husband died unexpectedly in 1989.

Contributed photos, Regional News

Lois Gilfoy with her eight children

Lois and Leo Gilfoy’s eight children are shown, from left, Peggy Jensen, Sheri Oliva, Dan Gilfoy, Susan Wawrzaszek, Terry Gilfoy, Robin Gilfoy, Deb Martin, and Cathy Juell, along with Lois Gilfoy.

Contributed photo, Regional News

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Scott Williams

WALWORTH — Lois Gilfoy was frequently the life of the party.

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Slideshow: Walworth town square corn roast

Slideshow: Walworth town square corn roast

Walworth corn roast - 1

Walworth corn roast - 1 — Amanda Miller, a volunteer from Big Foot High School, sorts through a pile of corn Aug. 3, 2019 during the Geneva Lake West Rotary Corn & Brat Fest on the town square in Walworth.
Scott Williams, Regional News

Walworth corn roast - 2

Walworth corn roast - 2 — Graham Murphy and Tammy Haase, both of Richmond, Illinois, get ready to enjoy their lunch Aug. 3 during the Geneva Lake West Rotary Corn & Brat Fest on the town square in Walworth.
Scott Williams photos, Regional News

Walworth corn roast - 3

Walworth corn roast - 3 — Shucking freshly roasted earns of corn are Jacob Laing, left, and Olivia Kovarik, volunteers at the Geneva Lake West Rotary Corn & Brat Fest held Aug. 3 on the town square in Walworth.
Scott Williams, Regional News

Walworth corn roast - 4

Walworth corn roast - 4 — Kevin Roeske of Walworth enjoys an ear of roasted corn Aug. 3 on the town square in Walworth during the Geneva Lake West Rotary Corn & Brat Fest.
Scott Williams, Regional News

Walworth corn roast - 5

Walworth corn roast - 5 — Volunteers on the left and patrons keep things moving along Aug. 3 in the serving line for the Geneva Lake West Rotary Corn & Brat Fest on the town square in Walworth.
Scott Williams, Regional News

Walworth corn roast - 6

Walworth corn roast - 6 — Rotary Club members Glenn Wergin, left, and John Conley keep the bratwurst grill going Aug. 3 during the Geneva Lake West Rotary Corn & Brat Fest on the town square in Walworth.
Scott Williams, Regional News

Walworth corn roast - 7

Walworth corn roast - 7 — Spencer Majerus does his part Aug. 3, 2019 in helping to prepare roasted corn for patrons at the Geneva Lake West Rotary Corn & Brat Fest on the town square in Walworth.
Scott Williams, Regional News

Walworth corn roast - 8

Walworth corn roast - 8 — Volunteers Genna Sandstrom, left, and Kelly Kline, members of the National Honor Society at Big Foot High School, get ears of corn ready for the roasters Aug. 3 during the Geneva Lake West Rotary Corn & Brat Fest.
Scott Williams, Regional News

Walworth corn roast - 9

Walworth corn roast - 9 — Volunteers take a break at the roasters used to get corn ready Aug. 3 for customers at the Geneva Lake West Rotary Corn & Brat Fest on the town square in Walworth.
Scott Williams, Regional News

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