The Late Very Rev. Canon William Phelan 1918- 2004 The death occurred recently of the Very Rev. Canon William Phelan, No. 11 The Orchard, Dungarvan. Canon Phelan was the son of the late Thomas and Mary Phelan (nee Flynn) of Carriganure, Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford. He was born on the 26th of September 1918, and was educated at Ballyduff National School, Mount Sion Secondary School and Mount Melleray Seminary. In 1937 he entered St. John's College and a year later he transferred to Maynooth College where he spent the next seven years studying for the priesthood. He was ordained on June 17, 1945. He spent the first six and a half years as a curate in the parish of St. Lawrence's, Byker, Newcastle on Tyne, where he made many friends, contacts which he maintained for the rest of his life. On November 11, 1951, he was appointed curate in St. Patrick's Waterford. On the 16th January, 1953, he was appointed to the parish of Grange and Ardmore - during his time in Ardmore he played an active role in the revival of the GAA there. His next appointment was to the parish of Ballybricken where he spent the next two years. In 1959 he was appointed to the parish of Crooke where again he was involved in the reorganisation of the GAA and the starting of the Pioneer Association there. In 1968 he was appointed curate to Cahir, Co. Tipperary, where he spent eleven very happy years. During his time there he was involved in almost every organisation from the Community Council to the Lourdes Annual Pilgrimage. It was was during his time in Cahir that he underwent major surgery, and he often spoke of the kindness and support of the people during his recovery. On February 7, 1979, he was appointed Parish Priest of Stradbally. He had a great love for this parish as his mother was born in Faha, and the person who had probably the greatest influence on his life, his uncle Fr. Willie Flynn was buried there. A great honour was bestowed on him there in 1992 when he was appointed to the Cathedral Chapter and made Canon Phelan. Following his Golden Jubilee Mass on June 23, 1995, he retired to his new home in Dungarvan where he had lived until May of this year. He spent the last few months in the care of the Padre Pio Nursing Home in Cappoquin, where he died on October 23, 2004. His remains were removed from Walsh's Funeral Home, Cappoquin, on Monday evening with a guard of honour being provided by Passage and Ardmore GAA clubs. His remains were received at Cappoquin Parish Church by Bishop William Lee and by many other priests from the diocese. On Tuesday, October 26, a Concelebrated Mass was held, the main concelebrants being Bishop William Lee, Abbot Eamon Fitzgerald and Monsignor Michael Olden. Also present was retired Bishop Russell and many other priests from the dioceses. Following the Mass burial took place at Mount Mellary Churchyard where a guard of honour was provided by his many friends from the West of Ireland. Canon Phelan was predeceased by his brother John Phelan, Carriganure (1974) and his sister Peggy Fitzgerald, Kilmagemogue (2000). Deepest sympathy is extended to his sister, Sr. Josepha, Convent of Mercy, Waterford and to his nephews and nieces of the Fitzgerald and Phelan families. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Courtesy of the Waterford News and Star, November, 2004 Tweet

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