The death has occurred of Very Revd Fr Michael WALSH
Tubber, Moate, Westmeath
| Peacefully, at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore. Much loved son of the late Dr Joseph and Gertrude (Navan), brother of the late Anne and William, very deeply regretted by his brother, Brendan, sisters Joan and Eileen, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, Bishop and Priests of the Diocese of Meath, Maura, his devoted housekeeper, parishioners and friends.
Rest in Peace. Reposing at the Church of the Holy Family Tubber tomorrow, Tuesday, from 4pm until 7.15pm, funeral prayers at 7.30pm. Funeral Mass on Wednesday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in Kilcurley Cemetery, Tubber. Funeral Mass Bishop Smith celebrated the Funeral Mass for Fr Walsh, accompanied by a large number of priests from the Diocese of Meath and elsewhere. In the homily, his former curate Fr Padraig McMahon said the following: Fr Michael Walsh was born in Navan in 1932. He studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained there in the Basilica of St. John Lateran on 16th March 1957. After 20 years lecturing in church history in All Hallows College, Dublin, he was appointed CC in Skryne, Co Meath in 1977, and CC in Trim in 1981. In June 1985 he succeeded Dr. Hugh Dunne as parish priest in Tubber. Fr Michael’s great commitment to priesthood, manifested itself every day in his loyalty to the Divine Office and his celebration of Mass, while his wonderful care of and attention to the sick meant he was a regular visitor to the local hospitals and nursing homes as well as to the homes of the housebound of Tubber on First Fridays. Every Saturday morning he would call the priest in Rosemount – enquiring if anyone was sick on the other side of the parish. The new school in Tubber was his pride and joy; he worked tirelessly along with then Principal the late Moira Lynch and her successor Ann-Marie Minnock to see it completed and he was immensely pleased when it was opened in his Golden Jubilee year in 2007. If blocks and timbers made the building, his care for and interest in the religious formation of the children helped build a strong Catholic school in Tubber. Baptisms, weddings, funerals are important moments in the life of a family and Fr Michael ensured these ceremonies in Tubber were always celebrated with fitting formality and sensitivity. He took the death of a parishioner to heart – in keeping with the sentiment of the old prayer card– “he was a member of every family, yet belonging to none.” He is survived by his brother Brendan, sisters Joan and Eileen, extended family, Maura his devoted housekeeper, parishioners and friends. |
