The late Fr. John Patrick Mallon Fr John Patrick Mallon who lived his life as a Salesian priest passed away surrounded by his loving family in Edendork. Fr Mallon, who would have celebrated his 90th birthday in October, led a full life during which he travelled the world extensively. In the 1920s he attended Edendork Primary School and then worked in Jimmy Quinn's drapery shop in Ann Street, Dungannon. In 1929 he began his studies at the Salesian College in Cheshire in England and two years later entered the Orders Novitiate in Cowley in Oxford. Five years later he moved to India where he was ordained on July 1st. 1943. Father Mallon worked in India for 15 years before his first visit back to Edendork in 1949. He finally bid farewell of his adopted country in 1955 when he returned to Ireland to take up a post as Chaplain of the Salesian Sisters in Brosna, Offaly. Many years were then spent in Ballinakill where he was a superior of the Salesian College. The first years of Fr Mallon's priesthood were spent working in the northern Province of Calcutta and Shillong.It was at the end of the Second World War and the declaration of Indian Independence when Fr Mallon returned home especially to give his friends and family the joy of attending his Mass. His next 20 years were spent teaching, first in the Aspirantate in Tiruppattur where he prepared young aspirants for their Matriculation Examination of the Madras University. Then followed a stint as the first ever principal of St. Bede's High school, Mylepore of Don Bosco School in Goa. Lastly he worked in the development of the Don Bosco School in Madras. Fr Mallon was a very affable priest who was always fond to recall his memories of being in India. He always recalled the size of the population out there and once described the poverty as 'tangible'. He said the poverty could be seen in the streets, smelt, seen in people's faces and said it could be felt. Fr Mallon remembered studying in Assam where he was able to look out at the Himalayas every morning. Fr Mallon said it was very hard to describe the work of the Salesians in India because it was so varied and widespread . 1984 was the year of the Golden Jubilee for Fr Mallons first profession as a Salesian. In July 2003 Fr Mallon, surrounded by his family in Edendork, celebrated his 50th year as a priest - this was his Diamond Jubilee. Salesian colleagues travelled from India to be with their great friend. Fr Mallon went back to Edendork in 1999 but was struck down with ill-health when he suffered a stroke. He was remembered as a spiritual man with a very strong faith.The cleric loved being involved with the family and he was a great man for encouraging the family unit to get together. He was also a great organiser and had a great flow for speech which certainly was evident at the opening of Edendork's new pavilion. Fr Mallon was an honorary president of St. Malachy's Edendork GFC. No matter where he was he would always ring his family in Edendork to find out if St. Malachy's GFC had played that day and to get a progress report. He was always keen to hear if members of his family were playing. Fr Mallon had travelled extensively throughout his life. He knew so much about different places. No matter where he went he would always read up about that place so he could get more out of his trip. Fr Mallon was an inspiration to all and although his long life was well worth celebrating, he will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his five nephews-Michael, Felix, Don, Charlie and Eamon, his three nieces Mrs Helen Keane, Miss Mary Mallon and Mrs Anne Devanney. He will be missed by his entire family circle. Courtesy of the Tyrone Times June 2004 Tweet

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