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Fr Geoffrey Sweeney WF
Fr Christopher O'Doherty
Fr Tom McIllveney WF
Fr Jimmy Wallace
Fr Vincent Bailey
Fr Pat Boyd

Adapted from the entry in the international website of the White Fathers





With regret we inform you of the death of our confrère, Father Christopher O'Doherty, who died at the age of 80, having spent 55 years as a missionary in Tanzania, the Netherlands and Ireland.

Fr. Christopher O'Doherty died in the evening of 25th August 2004.

He had been complaining of abdominal and lower back pain for some time and, on the advice of his doctor, was referred to the local hospital for tests on 9th August. These tests showed that he had a number of medical problems, due to medical complications from the time he worked in Africa.

Adapted from the entry in the international website of the White Fathers



With regret we inform you of the death of our confrère , Father Tom McIlveney, who passed away in his sleep 30th August 2004. May he rest in peace. He was 90 years of age and had spent 64 years as a missionary in Tanzania and the United Kingdom.

Taken from The White Fathers - White Sisters magazine, Issue 381 April-May 2005

Born in 1914, Fr. Tommy completed his secondary schooling in his home town of Dumbarton before joining the White Fathers. He came from a close loving family who gave him all possible support in his missionary calling. After initial formation he was sent to North Africa and made his noviciate at Maison Carree in 1936 and completed his theological studies at Carthage where he was ordained priest in 1941. During this time he had shown himself to be a man of sound spiritual qualities, intelligent and gentle in character.

After his ordination he returned to the province where he remained for three years helping out at the promotion centre and the parish of Heston. In 1944 he received his appointment to Tanzania and the diocese of Bukoba where he was to remain until 1980. Fr. Tommy spoke little of these long years spent in Tanzania. One gets the impression that he was happy and content to be left alone to get on with the work entrusted to him. Initially this was pastoral ministry for a few years but soon, like many native English speakers at that firne, he found himself assigned to teaching duties. From 1948 until his refirement in 1980, Fr. Tommy faithfully taught English, Geography, and anything else asked of him, at Rubya seminary. Many of those young men he taught went on to become priests and bishops and while Fr. Tommy could not tell you how many diocesan priests whom he had taught he took great pride in counting the number of bishops who had sat at his feet. In later years a good number of his former pupils kept in touch with him and those of us who met them heard them testify to Fr. Tommy's good solid teaching, sound advice and discipline !

Even in his retirernent years Fr. Tommy was always on time for meals, meetings and other community activities and did not tolerate easily those, who were late. Testimony is also given by his ex-pupils to his faithfulness to his spiritual exercises which proved a great example to them. And again in his years of retirement he was faithful to community prayer and the days of recollection, even when his health was failing. His home leaves were always spent with his family in Dumbarton and after the death of his parents with his sisters, of whom he was very fond.

Often, it seems, the provincial did not know Fr. Tommy had been home. He came and went quietly, unobtrusively and it was remarked at his funeral, he might have made a good secret agent! In retirement when he did speak of these long years of unromantic and mundaneteaching, Fr. Tommy did so without any resentment and it is evident that he appreciated and valued the contribution he had been privileged to make to the growth of the church in Tanzania. This was quite in accord with the spirit and instructions of Cardinal Lavigerie.

This long career came to a sudden end in 1980 when he returned home on sick leave and was advised not to return. Fr. Tommy accepted this unquestioningly as God's will and after a long rest with his family he took up residence in Rutherglen. At the beginning he found it difficult to settle into the rhythm of life there but being a man of routine he eventually established his own programme. Once a week, faithful as clockwork, he left the house and took the train to visit his sisters in Dumbarton. Always the same time; the same train; the same lunch together; and back at the same time. These visits were important to him and his sisters and when he could no longer visit they came regularly to see him.

In the community Fr. Tommy readily accepted to render small servicessuch as looking after the library and the sacristy. His lack of pastoral experience left him with little confidence, however, to become involved in the outside activities of the community such as missionary appeals or helping in the local parishes. Nonetheless, Fr. Tommy was content with his family visits, his reading, his classical music and his television programmes. As he grew older his health deteriorated and he often fell or suffered small strokes but with amazing regularity and rapidity he bounced back and was soon at table again with his mischievous smile, wicked sense of humour and on time!

Happily Fr. Tommy was well enough to be present at the funerals of his two sisters, whose passing marked him deeply. In June he celebrated his ninetieth birthday with a party for his nieces and their families and members of the community. Ever his "own man" he left the party when he was ready.

Shortly afterwards a more serious fall left him weak and badly bruised. On the advice of the doctors he was admitted to the hospital where he was to remain until his death. At times he seemed to get stronger and enjoyed watching the football and the Olympics and even spoke of coming home but in his heart knew it was not to be. He joyfully received the Sacrament of the Sick, first with members of his community and again the day before he died in the presence of his family. Conscious to the end, he received the news of Fr Tod O'Donnell's death with a nod and smile and one got the impression that he knew his own death was imminent. He died peacefully in his sleep just six hours later.

Fr. Tommy's funeral Mass was attended by members of his family, confrères, and many of the local community. He is buried in the community plot in Rutherglen.

Father Jimmy Wallace - 2005
Taken from an email sent by Peter Finn 28th August 2005





Dear Fellow-Pelicans
 
It is with great sadness that I learnt today of the death of my good friend and yours - Father Jimmy Wallace.
 
His parish treasurer, Charles Conlon, called to tell me that he died early on Friday morning 26 August while sitting in his chair - apparently of a heart attack. He said Mass on the previous Sunday, but had not felt well enough to say Mass from Monday onwards.

The funeral Mass will be on Thursday 1st September in his own church, St Bernadette's in Tullibody, Clackmannanshire. He will be buried in Alloa.


(source : Pat Menzies)

Very briefly. From the Priory, he went on to study philosophy at Broome Hall. He left Broome Hall and was accepted by the diocese of Northampton.

After ordination he was sent to Cambridge University (Gonville and Caius) where he graduated in history. After some years teaching and as a curate, he went to work as a parish priest in Nova Scotia. On his return he became parish priest in Tullibody.

He was a man of strong affections and strong opinions, especially relating to the church he loved so much. He was a great devotee of Our Blessed Lady, and his lifelong project was visiting as many shrines of Our Lady around the world as he could. He was accompanied on very many of these pilgrimages by Hugh (Shed) Campbell until he was too ill to travel.

His great pleasure from his Priory days was the operas of Gilbert and Sullivan. A life member of a Savoy Opera association, he continued to produce and direct until recent years, and even acted in shows in London when called upon by his great friend the late John Baker.  A brilliant mimic, sharp wit, and ardent choir master, he would have been a marvellous actor-producer, but he was chosen instead to serve as Alter Christus, which he faithfully did for nearly fifty years.
 
He was a very great believer in the power of prayer. Let us remember him in our prayers.
 
Peter 

Email from Margaret Baker    
September 3rd 2005

I had a phone call from Father Jim Wallace's sister about his sudden death.
Her phone number is 01375674553. As yet, I haven't been able to get through but have sent a Mass card.

John, my husband and Jim were great buddies in the seminary and loved to recall the Gilbert & Sullivan productions.

Jim lived with us for several months when times were hard for him. In the end things worked out and I think he was happy in Tullibody.

The family remember him with affection.


Margaret Baker

Email from Pat Menzies  
September 4th 2005

Pelicans will have read in the Obituaries about the passing of Fr. James Wallace who was Parish priest of Tullibody in Clacks, Scotland.

Jimmy died on Friday 26th August and was buried on Thursday, 1st September. Two of us who were his buddies at the Priory, myself and Robert Clyde , attended the funeral along with my wife Pauline and Robert's wife Jessie.
Two requiem masses were said in his Parish of St. Bernadette's,Tullibody. The church was packed on both occasions with family members, friends and parishioners as well as members of the clergy.

I had the opportunity to meet with his family again after a break of many years. I conveyed to them our condolences and that of the Pelicans who knew him. There were many tributes paid to him all of which were well deserved and it was obvious from the crowds who turned up for his funeral that he was a very popular priest.
















I visited him a week before he died and spent a few hours with him reminiscing about our days at the Priory. I was very impressed with his detailed memories of those days which must have been some of his happiest.

The announcement of his death shortly after my visit came as a great shock. I was grateful that we had those few hours together. A great man, a great parish priest and a great buddy.






May he rest In Peace

Pat Menzies

Letter from Bob Clyde   
September 7th 2005

I enclose a photo of Fr James Wallace, whose death was noted on the website. Pat and Pauline Menzies and Jessie and I attended the funeral. His body was brought into the parish church of St Bernadette's, Tullibody, on Tuesday evening (30th August). Mass was held on Wednesday evening, and the church was packed for the service. On the following day (Thursday), the bishop and many of his fellow priests concelebrated Mass.

The church was packed, with many people following the service from the church grounds. The great numbers who attended the services reflected the great affection in which Fr Wallace was held. The police were out in force to ensure the cortege had a smooth journey to the cemetery in Alloa.

Fr Jim was ordained in July 1957. His priestly life was spent in many parts of the UK and abroad. Northampton was his home diocese, with time spent in parish work and acting as chaplain to Lowestoft prison. He also worked in Nova Scotia for 4 years and the Glasgow Archdiocese, before moving to Dunkeld. I believe that he felt that he had 'come home' when he returned to work in Scotland.

May his soul rest In Peace
Bob Clyde

Father Vincent Bailey 1937 - 2005
Partly taken from The White Fathers' international website

From Father André Schaminée Delegate Superior, Intercontinental Section :

"With regret I inform you of the death of our confrère Vincent Bailey, M. Afr, aged 68 and in his 41st year as a missionary in Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Brazil and Great Britain.

It is with great sadness that I have to announce to you the death of Vincent Bailey in Curitiba. Vincent died a few hours ago, Monday 14th November in the early hours of the evening Brazilian time.

Though his death does not come unexpectedly, it is all the same a shock. We have been hoping against hope that the miracle would happen and that he would recover. But this has unfortunately not happened.

May he rest in peace."

The funeral was held on Wednesday 16th November in the church at Pinhais of which Vincent was parish priest.

Let us pray for Vincent, his relatives (two of his brothers and a sister are presently in Curitiba), his community and his parish.

Spititual Year
Broome Hall
08-09-1961

Father Patrick Boyd 1919 - 2005
Partly taken from The White Fathers' international website

From Fr Peter D. Smith, British Provincial : With regret we inform you of the death of our confrère Father Patrick Boyd, 27th September 2005 at Victoria Hospital Great Britain. He was aged 85 and in his 58th year as a Missionary in Zambia and the UK. Kindly remember him in your prayers, together with his family and all those he left behind. May he rest in peace.

Our thanks to Fr Boyd's colleagues for the following tribute : Born on 28th December 1919 Pat was one of sixteen children born to Thomas and Isabella Boyd. He was in fact the thirteenth child and those who are superstitious might say this accounted for the fact that during his lifetime Pat was the victim of many unforeseen circumstances and illnesses! Something that Pat took even naturedly and with good humour. Of those sixteen children eleven lived long and healthy lives in various parts of the globe, Australia, America and Scotland not to mention the many years Pat himself spent in Zambia. At his funeral his brother, Canon George Boyd of Motherwell Diocese was the main celebrant and in the church their other remaining brother Andrew was present while their sole surviving sister was present in spirit from her home in Australia. In Church too were a large gathering of nephews and nieces and grand nephews and nieces to whom Pat was very close and all of whom gave Pat great support and strength in his years of retirement and in the days of his final illness. Coming from a large family was perhaps one of the things that attracted Pat to a life in community and after two years in the diocesan seminary in Scotland he chose to follow his vocation with the Society. That commitment to community life and family spirit were to remain hallmarks of Pat’s days in Zambia and Scotland and were a quality for which he was admired and respected. In those days, due to wartime restrictions, British students remained at home and Pat found himself, one of the few, to make his Spiritual Year at Sutton Coldfield and to begin his studies at the nearby seminary of Birmingham Archdiocese. Further studies continued at Monteviot in Scotland but back again in England in 1947 he took his missionary oath at Rossington Hall. Ordination took place the following year together with his brother, George, at the newly consecrated cathedral of his home diocese, Motherwell. Pat’s first appointment was not, as he had hoped, to Africa but to teach at the junior seminary in St Boswell's. He was to remain there as teacher and Bursar for eight years. Although popular with the students and always anxious to do his best for them Pat was not a naturally talented teacher and struggled with this first appointment. His students, among them the present Provincial Peter Smith and Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, however, remember him as always having the interests of his students at heart and a man who gave them a good example in prayer and piety. Pat’s health problems were already beginning and by the time he left for Zambia in 1956 he had lost his hearing in one ear. From then until 1969 Pat remained in Zambia serving in a number of parishes; among them Chalabesa, Kayambi and Mulilansolo; where he was appreciated for his piety, his dedication to his work and for his contributions to community life. Languages did not come easily to Pat and he struggled to learn Bemba but showed great perseverance. Unfortunately his health continued to decline. A time of home service from 1969 to 1973 saw Pat first appointed as Superior of the Scottish junior seminary and later on promotion work in Rutherglen. He found the responsibilities of being Superior too much and was somewhat out of his depth with the young students. Promotion work suited him better and with his personal contacts he was often busy with missionary appeals and visits to schools where he spoke enthusiastically about his work in Zambia. A further period of fifteen years was then spent in pastoral work in Zambia before Pat returned home definitively in 1988. Those long years in Zambia are best summed up by one of his superiors who wrote as Pat left: “Pat did not always have an easy time, but one cannot but admire his hard work and dedication . . . we are very grateful for his missionary presence in our midst” Others remember “a pastoral and community man”. On his return to the province Pat accepted to become the Superior of the retirement community in Glasgow after being chosen by the community itself. Now dealing with men of his own age Pat came more into his own and rendered faithful service to the community for the next six years. He continued through his contacts to promote a missionary spirit and was always ready to help the local church and was especially fond of giving a hand in his brother’s parish where parishioners became very fond of him. At this time Pat was instrumental in founding a network of former pupils of the Society which took the name “The Pelicans”. It was his dream that they would not only spend time remembering their past glories as seminarians but also actively support the present work of the Society. And thanks to Pat’s encouragement this they did and continue to do for some of our confreres in Zambia. After all where else would Pat direct their efforts! It was a pleasure to see Pat at their annual reunions where he was treated with great respect and affection. When he handed over his responsibilities and became a retired resident of the community Pat did this with dignity and grace confiding to friends that his stepping down was in the best interests of the community. The ill health that had dogged him throughout his life became worse and yet he accepted all this uncomplainingly and even with a sense of humour. The question:”Which hospital are you going to today, Pat?” was always met with a smile and sometimes the simple answer: “I don’t know, ask the bursar!” Of all his ailments that which caused Pat the most anxiety was his now serious hearing impediment making conversation in community very difficult for him and causing him to feel alienated from the community. However, on a one to one basis he became quite different and spoke interestingly and at length about his family and Zambia. Thankfully his eyesight remained relatively good and he was able to enjoy his reading. He was happy to offer small services to the community like looking after the sacristy and the liturgy. This he did very meticulously and woe betide anyone who forgot a particular saint’s day – especially a Scottish one! During these years Pat became closer than ever to his family and offered much support to them in their sicknesses and bereavements and derived great strength from them and their visits. His final days were spent in the local hospital where his heart gradually gave out. Even here Pat continued to be a pastoral man and many of the staff were impressed by his interest in them, his faith, and his acceptance of his suffering. Such was his faith that death held no fear for him and he prayed for God to take him to Himself. This God did gently and quietly, after Pat had been anointed by his brother, on September 27th 2005. In his funeral oration the Provincial reminded us of the words of Mother Theresa: God doesn’t ask us to be successful, but He does ask us to be faithful.” Devotion to prayer and faithful service were the hallmarks of Pat’s missionary life.

Memories of Fr Boyd by Eugene MacBride I first met Fr Pat Boyd on 8th March 1950 at St Columba's.  The college was en fete in choro et refectorio to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood of Father Walsh and his 50th of Father Bouniol.  It was my first day with the White Fathers.  My aunt who had brought me down from Glasgow had been spirited away and I think it was Pat took me upstairs to the big dormitory to show me my bed and my locker. He told me 9 March would be a holiday.  I became the only one in the know, I think, but when Jimmy Johnston asked who had told me, I said, "The priest with the big nose." Johnston let out a hoot: "Hawkeye!" The odd thing is that after St Boswell's, I never heard Pat referred to again in terms of his rather prominent nose. On the morning of 10 March, Walter Perry invited me to come down and see his rabbit snares.  As a result, we were late getting into Latin class and Pat tore Waller off a strip against a background of the beautiful Eildon Hills.  The class had been chanting Amabam, amabas, amabat as we walked in, the first Latin I had ever heard bar the noun 'stella'. Pat took me as a Latin extravagant and taught me in his windowless room. He also taught French and put it about that Scots boys would find French easier than the English or Irish because of the similarity of pronunciation, eg "ferme" and "ferm" ! One day a rather daft boy J.P. asked a very intelligent question: "How is it possible to go to a foreign country (eg in Africa) and understand what they are saying?"  Pat understood the query as a very stupid one from a very stupid boy but I for one could see what J.P. was getting at.  Pat blew-up and told him to shut up and stop being so silly. Pat was in charge of the schola and used to take practice during manual work.  Ged Wynne was our organist.  I had been made one of the sacristans and used to fake--- beg Denis Shields behind Pat's back to swap his Liber for my sweeping brush and change places with me.  Denis was always eager but of course he did not dare. Pat took a vivid interest in all things Pelican from our first reunion at Rutherglen in October 1992 right through to Dryburgh Abbey ten years later.  He was one of those priests who tried to make everyone feel at home especially the women.  He was always on the look-out for ladies to read during Mass.  I liked Pat very much and was sorry to hear of his death on 27th September 2005.  I was in France at the time and did not learn of his death until mid-October. Requiescat. Eugene

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