A GOLDEN couple from Port Glasgow have celebrated a fantastic 50 years of wedded bliss.

Well-known duo ‘karate’ Joe Doherty, 71, and wife Letitia, 69, marked the milestone anniversary recently with family and friends at their Parkhill Farm home followed by a party at the Holy Family Church hall.

Letitia is originally from Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and was working in Scotland when she met her future husband in 1964 while on a boat returning to her homeland as Joe headed there on holiday with friends.

Judo-great Joe says it was ‘love at first sight’ and the couple were married on 1 July 1965 in St Mungo’s Church in Greenock by Father Bogle. Together they had five children — Joseph, Sharon, Elaine, pictured, and Jacqueline, and Christine, who both sadly passed away.

They also have 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Joe said: “It’s amazing to reach 70 and have great grandchildren and to have been married 50 years — it’s incredible.

“In those days you couldn’t get a ferry to Ireland, you could only get a cattle boat over.

“It stopped in Greenock from the Broomielaw and all passengers stood out on the deck. Tish was working here in St John’s chapel house as a housekeeper — she came from Donegal. She was going home to visit her family and I was on the boat with my mates.

“As soon as I saw her it was love at first sight — beautiful so she was.

“We got engaged at Christmas and married in the July the next year.

“We’ve had ups and downs and all the emotions together.

“But those are the things you have to come through and we did and it’s amazing.

“She’s the matriarch and she’s lovely.” The proud Portonian was delighted to have celebrated their anniversary with a party after missing out on a wedding reception all those years ago.

They had to cancel the event after Letitia’s father died just as they were set to tie the knot.

The couple got married on a Thursday and his funeral took place the next day.

Joe said: “It was a sad time as well.

“So that’s why we were pleased to have had something to celebrate 50 years on.” Joe credits his wife for their long and happy marriage but Letitia says it is down to teamwork.

She said: “I don’t know if there’s a secret, just lots of coming and going with each other.

“We are the best of friends and we’ve enjoyed our lives together travelling here and there.”