Obituary - Fr Paddy Corcoran

It is with deep regret that we record the death of Fr Paddy Corcoran SM, which occurred on Tuesday, January 24 (just two days short of his 96th Birthday) in the Marist Fathers, Chanel Community House, Coolock, Dublin 5. Fr Paddy was born on January 26, 1916 in Arva where his parents were national teachers. As a young boy he was asleep in bed when General Sean McEoin came into the house and brought the children downstairs and then proceeded to take off the slates and threw bombs across the archway into what is now part of the Breffni Arms Hotel. This was during the "Troubles" and the building was then occupied by the English Military. Following his primary education he studied at St Mary's College, Dundalk, Co Louth from 1928 to 1933. He then entered the Novitiate of the Marist Fathers in Milltown, Co Dublin and continued his studies in philosophy there until going to Rome for Theological studies. Fr Paddy was ordaineda priest in St John Lateran Basilica on April 23, 1940. From 1940 until 1946 he was engaged in teaching Philosophy and Theology at Mount St Mary's and preparing for his Doctoral Degree at Maynooth College. After a three year appointment to Paignton, Devon, England he returned to Milltown as Superior and in 1957 went to the parish of St Anne in London before being appointed as Superior to the International Scholasticate in Rome. On his return to Ireland in 1965 Fr Paddy worked on the Retreat band, taught in Mount St Mary's and spent two separate years teaching in Australia before returning to Ireland to serve on the National Marriage Tribunal from 1976 until about eight years ago, holding the top position for many years. During his "retirement" Fr Paddy had been engaged in writing and assisting various congregations with matters of Canon Law. Fr Paddy died peacefully after a short illness on January 24, 2012. He never lost his love for Arva and was a regular visitor. He celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his ordination with Mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Arva in 1990 where he met all his former neighbours and friends. Despite all his educational success he remained a very humble and caring man. On a visit to him last November this correspondent was bombarded with questions about Arva and it was obvious that his love of his home place never diminished. Following concelebrated Requiem Mass in St Brendan's Church, Coolock burial took place in Balgriffin cemetery. He is survived by his nephews Patrick in Germany, Peter in Galway his cousin the Briody family, Cortober, Arva.