Page 53 - The Old Ratcliffian 2012

The Old Ratclifan 2012 | IntroductionThe Old Ratclifan 2012 | Obituaries Fr Edward Murphy IC BSc 1954-2012 Fr Edward (Eddie) Murphy died when required. Prior to his ordination, following a car accident on Friday he had served in various Rosminian 16th March, while driving to the home parishes and houses, assisting with of his mother near Waterford City after the establishment of computer attending the Assembly of the Gentili systems. For a couple of years he had Province (Rosminians) in Dublin. full time employment with the Church Army in London. Fr Eddie was parish priest of Wisbech, East Anglia, for just under a year; Wherever he worked, whether prior to that he had been parish priest in schools, parishes or religious in Neath, South Wales, which was communities, Eddie (or Ted, as he his first parish appointment after his was known to his family) endeared ordination in March 2007. himself to both adults and children alike. He brought with him a He joined the Institute of Charity (Rosminians) in 1976, coming from a charming, vivacious personality, along period of study at Osterley. Amongst with his many gifts and talents. He those in the novitiate house at the was especially sympathetic to the time was the future bishop, John needs of the poor and marginalised Arnold (71), who was eventually to and his door was always open to ordain him. those in difficulty. ‘No’, ‘I can’t’, or ‘It’s impossible’ were words rarely found in Fr Eddie was dyslexic, something Eddie’s life. which caused him great frustration He loved music and could play a over the years. But he was number of instruments, including extraordinarily determined and in the the piano, but his favourite was the late 1980s he successfully completed flute, and he was well on his way to a degree course in Computing, which becoming an accomplished flautist. he used to great advantage. His lifetime dream was to become a priest Fr Eddie’s wish was to be buried in void but he leaves behind a legacy of and, after three attempts at studying Ireland and that wish was fulfilled love, laughter and good deeds, and for the priesthood, he was ordained in when he was laid to rest among his he goes to God, whom he loved above 2007. Rosminian brethren in St Patricks all with those good works gone before Cemetery, Clonmel, just a short few him. May he rest in peace. Fr Eddie was based at Ratcliffe in the early nineties and was always miles from his home in Waterford. His Fr David Myers IC (59) at hand to help with any IT issues sudden passing leaves a tremendous Provincial John Patrick Millar Old Ratcliffian 1928-34 1916-2012 My father, Old Ratcliffian John Patrick He later became a teacher of English Millar died, aged 96, in Clevedon, and taught at St Illtyd’s College, North Somerset. He was originally Cardiff. from South Wales and attended Ratcliffe College from 1928 to 1934. Sadly, John suffered from dementia for I note from Fr Claude Leetham’s the last few years. When he was very (15) History of Ratcliffe publication ill in hospital and a few days before he that John was Captain of the 1st XV died, I presented him with Edition XIV rugby football team between 1933 of the Old Ratcliffian. He smiled at and 1934. the picture of the school on the front cover and said “Ratcliffe!” John served in the British Army in Margaret Munro India during the Second World War. Daughter 53 Register o 53 Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk