Florida Bishop travels from the States for Mayo Monsignor's funeral

THE funeral took place in Crossboyne on Sunday of Msgr John Delaney, late of Farmhill, Claremorris, and formerly the Diocese of Miami, Florida, and All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin. He passed away peacefully in his 86th year on Monday, June 30, in the tender care of the staff at Sacred Heart Residence, Raheny, Dublin. He had been in declining health for some time.

Msgr John (pictured), as he was known to so many, spent almost all his years in the ministry in Florida, the vast bulk in Fort Lauderdale, as well as a period of 15 years in Miami and a three year term in Palm Beach.

He retained strong and abiding bonds of friendship with his home region through his amazing dedication to supporting Mayo and Garrymore. He made several trips across the Atlantic over the last three decades to support Mayo in Croke Park and his last visit to the Stadium was earlier this year on St Patrick’s Day to see St Colman’s College, Claremorris, in action against St Patrick’s College, Maghera (Derry) in the All-Ireland Hogan Cup Final.

Back in 2017, Msgr John was honoured in Claremorris with a Mayo Cherishing the Irish Diaspora Award that he greatly appreciated at the time.

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Some months later, Msgr John was in the news when he scooped €500,000 in the Christmas Euro Millions draw. Speaking to him at the time, he said: “News somehow slipped out about a Mayo-born priest who was home from Florida and was the lucky winner of the half million prize. The media seemed to have a fascination about this and I was on the way back up from Claremorris when a journalist rang me to see if I was the winner of the lotto. The story appeared in The Irish Times and many other publications.”

Msgr John was the youngest of a family of nine born to Patrick and Catherine and was the last surviving member of his generation of the Delaney family, having been predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Eileen (King), Teresa (Tunney), Peter, Timothy, PJ, Brenda (O’Brien), Edward and James.

Reposing took place at Stafford’s Funeral Home, Portmarnock, on Friday evening (July 4). A Memorial service was held at the Chapel in All Hallows College on Saturday morning at 10am followed by his final journey to Claremorris. Further reposing will take place at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Crossboyne, on Saturday evening.

There was a large congregation for the funeral Mass on Sunday morning and the Delaney family, the visiting priests and those who made the long journey to Crossboyne were welcomed by Fr Seán Flynn, PP. “Bringing one of our own back to their native place to be laid to rest brings this emigration journey, this priestly journey, and this Child of God’s earthly journey full circle. May he now rest in peace in the soil of Crossboyne,” said Fr Flynn.

Reflecting the great regard in which Msgr Delaney was held in Florida, the Bishop of Orlando, Rev John Noonan, a native of Limerick, made the journey to Ireland and was the main celebrant at the Mass where he was joined by Fr Sean Flynn, Fr Des Walsh (formerly of Claremorris), Fr Eugene Duffy, Achonry, and Fr Peter Lambert who also made the journey from Miami.

His niece, Carole, recalled fond memories of her uncle and of visits to the family home place in Farmhill in former times. The Crossboyne Church Choir provided the music and hymns for the liturgy that included Lady of Knock and they concluded with a lovely rendition of The Green and Red of Mayo as the coffin was taken down the aisle. Interment followed in Crossboyne Cemetery.

Msgr John will be sadly missed by his nieces and nephews and his many friends in Ireland and America as well as the All Hallows Alumni and colleagues.