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The Old Ratclifan 2014 | Introductionhe Old Ratclifan 2014 | Obituaries The Old Ratclifan 2014 | IntroductionThe Old Ratclifan 2014 | Obituaries T Fr Jean-Marie had been born into Grand Duke of Tuscany, Duke of Prior: Who desires entry? Brian Leslie Mulcahy a Euro-centric world. He may have Lorraine, etc. believed, with Belloc, that ‘Europe is Prior’s response: We do not know MC: A mortal and sinful man. Old Ratcliffian 1942 - 1948 the Faith, and the Faith is Europe’, him. Prior: Let him enter. but by the time of his death, he had August 18th 1931 - September 13th 2014 come to realise how much other MC knocks again on the door three If the Holy Roman Emperors in cultures and traditions can add to the times. their own funeral liturgy stripped Brian decided on a career in Optics and entered the first three- growth of God’s Kingdom. themselves of all earthly pretensions, year course at what is now the City of London University. After Prior’s response: Who desires entry? they had appreciated the message of I want to finish where I began with the St Augustine that only the City of God qualifying, he did his National Service for two years and was Holy Roman Emperors. The rubric for MC: (At the most recent funeral is eternal, and we pray for Fr Jean- mainly based in German military hospitals. their funerals runs as follows: which took place in 2011, the Marie Charles-Roux that he may now When he returned to England, Brian started work in Bristol, request was) Dr Otto von Hapsburg, where he met his beloved wife, Angela, at the Bristol Lawn MC knocks three times on the door of former member of the European enjoy his heavenly citizenship. May Tennis Club. They were married on May 4th 1957, at the the Priory Church. Parliament, honorary Doctor of many he even rejoice in the company of the Church of St Mary on the Quay, and took an inaugural flight universities, etc. French Royal Family (including Queen Prior replies: Who desires entry? Marie Antoinette) and the Holy Roman from the newly-opened Bristol Airport to their honeymoon in Prior’s reply: We do not know him. Emperors, knowing that they, along Dublin. MC: The Holy Roman Emperor Duke Franz Joseph, crowned Prince of MC knocks on the door again three with the rest of us, were only mortal Brian was a member of the British Contact Lens Association Austria, Hungary and Bohemia, of times. and simple beings redeemed by the and had two practices in Bath. He later became a liveryman of Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia, Blood of Christ. the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. He was also the Fr David Myers (59) Chairman of the Optical Society and a Fellow of the College of Brian Leslie Mulcahy was descended in an unbroken line Optometrists. from a dynasty of Irish kings – the Eoganachta – who ruled A Short Tribute to Fr Jean over much of south-west Ireland, in the region now known as Brian and his family moved to the Isle of Wight in September 1976. They joined the Bembridge Sailing Club and enjoyed to Munster. It was with sadness that I heard of Fr solemn Mass each Sunday, when, long time. I think there are many the full the lively social scene at that time, making many dear Jean’s death in his hundredth year. after the Gospel, the hunched who were pleased that was the case Brian was born on August 18th 1931 in Withernsea, friends. Many people will have their own and seated figure of Fr Kit would and that we had the experience and Yorkshire, to Dr Patrick Joseph Mulcahy and his wife, Margaret memories of this amazing man. He announce: ‘Father Charles-Roux’ in friendship of this exceptional and Stott Leslie, and was a younger brother to Desmond (48). Brian and Angela were married for 57 years and were blessed had a remarkable life and was one a tone of resignation. Then he would holy man. He attended Attenborough Preparatory School and then Grace with three daughters: Lisa, Sophia and Francesca, and a of those priests of individuality and enter, right, in a coup de theatre, May he rest in peace. Dieu Manor School just before the outbreak of the Second granddaughter, Isabella. eccentricity that the Catholic Church accompanied by much lace and the World War. Finally, he went on to Ratcliffe College, where Brian will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. has always been able to absorb and jangle of beads, and he would deliver Philip Jones (59) he played all sports, especially cricket. He also enjoyed the He was a fine and true gentleman, but also a kind, caring and cherish; he was in the same genre as his homily (never less than twenty- theatre, acting in plays and singing in operettas. gentle man. Monsignor Alfred Gilby. five minutes) to a rapt and devoted audience gathered in the front rows! Eulogy I first encountered Fr Jean in the late 1950s as a boy at Ratcliffe. He I once went with two friends to a Gervase Duffy taught Religious Education, but he lecture which he delivered at Leicester was the easiest teacher to divert from University (apparently an annual Old Ratcliffian 1949 - 1954 his subject and to give fascinating fixture) on Mary, Queen of Scots, vignettes of his time in the French delivered, as always, without a note. It Gervase was the second of the four children of Austin He went on to teach, and eventually became Headmaster Corps Diplomatique, with accounts of was fascinating, but after an hour and and Annie Duffy, born at Tweedmouth in 1937. Not long of Grace Dieu. This was at a difficult time for the school his friendships with popes, prelates, a half, it had to be curtailed - we had after this, his father became and then had to resign as and his life was not easy. I remember him saying that, royalty and the Papal Court, both inter not yet reached Fotheringay! Headmaster of St Cuthbert’s RC Primary School and died in every so often, he needed to see the sea, which meant that and post-war. For two or three years, I, together 1945. he had to drive for the best part of three hundred miles. Born in Rome, his early home was the with my sons, Paul Rudd (60) and Gervase attended St Cuthbert’s Primary School in Chester- The strain took its toll on him and he had to be treated for alcoholism. He was cured, but there were more problems Palazzo Farnese (the setting of Act his family, went to Rome, and always le-Street, but after a while, his uncle paid for him to go for him to face at Grace Dieu. He left there and worked for 2 of ‘Tosca’), where his father was had dinner with Fr David Tobin (59), to Grace Dieu Manor School, where he stayed until he a short time in a parish, but this did not suit him. French Ambassador to Italy. Fr Simon Giles (60) and Fr General moved to Ratcliffe College. At the end of his time there, he Flynn (all at Porta Latina). We were decided to join the Rosminians. When he had completed He was given great support by Jill, who had previously As a later vocation, he studied at always joined by Fr Louis Beasley- his novitiate, he taught at Ratcliffe. He was then sent to the been a secretary at Grace Dieu. He went on to do a course the Beda College, when he was a Suffolk (60) (then at the Beda) and Rosminian House of Porta Latina in Rome. in Guidance, which he did extremely well. He was able great friend of Fr Geoffrey Tucker Fr Jean and his sister, the Principessa to help many people with mental health issues after this of the Birmingham Archdiocese Del Drago, who was anything but His years in Rome gave him the opportunity to enjoy course. (University Chaplain and broadcaster). a dragon! We were all entertained painting and photography. Rome is not always warm, and I remember Geoffrey telling me that by his wit, irreverence and unfailing he once asked for a short-sleeved woollen jumper. After He was a good man who cared about others. He was gifted he never had to worry about holidays, Gallic charm - an experience none its first boiling by the Italian nuns, he wrote home asking in art and particularly good at lettering. He learnt a lot from because Fr Jean’s mother would send present would ever forget. Also, the if anyone had need of a bulletproof jumper! He took great Jonah Jones, the well-known artist, with whom he worked the car and driver down to Rome next morning, prior to our leaving delight in showing friends and family the treasures of at Ampleforth during one of his holidays. from Paris and off they would go for a for London, there was always, hand- Rome. The family enjoyed his ordination at Porta Latina, We, the family, owe a lot to Jill, who cared so much for month, staying at wonderful houses of delivered, a charming letter of thanks. especially the time at the papal audience, when two him, especially during his last illness, and also to the Order his many friends in Europe. brothers of one of the Irishmen ordained with him lifted for enabling him to do so much good for others. He always said that he came to Rome our mother onto the bench in front to save her from being I well remember his time at St to die, but it was taking an awfully crushed by the over-enthusiastic Italians behind her! May he rest in peace. Etheldreda’s, Ely Place, and the Fr Tony Duffy Brother 59 58 Register o 58 Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk 59