RIP: Death of former Portlaoise Parish Priest
Portlaoise Parish pays tribute to Kilkenny native who died in Offaly
A priest who served Portlaoise Parish for over twenty years, including nearly a decade as PP, has passed away in his 90s.
Portlaoise Parish has led tributes to Monsignor Thomas (Tom) Coonan, who passed away peacefully on July 30, surrounded by his family and close friends, while in the compassionate care of the dedicated staff and palliative care team at Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore.
Portlaoise Parish paid tribute ‘in grateful appreciation of his faithful service, spiritual leadership and lasting contribution’ to the community he served between 1970 and 1986 as Curate and between 1992 and 2000 as PP.
The deceased attended Knockbeg College in Laois from 1948 to 1952. He later returned to teach History and Geography, serving on the staff for ten years from 1959 to 1969.
Originally from Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny, Msgr Coonan resided in the years up to his death at The Oratory, Geashill, Co Offaly.
His death notice said Msgr Coonan would be sadly missed by his sister, Mary O’Shea, his brother, Martin, his niece, Anne Marie, his nephews, John, Michael and Peter, his colleagues and fellow members of the clergy from his time in Clane, Knockbeg, San Francisco, Hawaii, Uganda, Portlaoise, Clare Island, Daingean and Killeigh (Geashill), his great grand nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by his sisters, Lena and Kay.
“Most of all, he will be sadly missed by his wide circle of friends and parishioners for whom he cared for and devoted so much of his life to - his family would like to sincerely thank all of you for your kindness to him,” it said.
His family would like to sincerely thank all of those who cared for him so sympathetically, particularly in Tullamore and in Tyrrellspass (Bethany House).
His remains will repose on Sunday, August 2 at St Joseph’s Church, Ballinagar (R35 W728) from 3 pm with prayers at 7.30 pm. His Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 3 in St Patrick’s Church, Killeigh (R35 H343) at 12 pm.
Following the Mass, Msgr Tom’s remains will be laid to rest in Saint Mary’s Graveyard, Raheen (R35 K096).
Monsignor Tom’s Requiem Mass can be viewed on the following link: https://mcn.live/Camera/st-patricks-church-killeigh
The death notice concluded: “May Monsignor Tom now share in the fullness of the resurrection he so deeply believed in”.