03 May 2006
Fr Thomas Egan SMA
Fr Thomas (Tom) Egan SMA passed away in the morning of 3 May 2006 at the South Infirmary, Cork. He had suffered stroke the previous week. His condition deteriorated each day until he died peacefully on Wednesday.
Tom was born on 13 August 1925 in Cloonacool, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo in the diocese of Achonry. He received primary education at St Michael’s National School and attended St Nathy’s College, Ballaghadereen and SMA Wilton in Cork for his secondary schooling. He then studied, first, at UCC before graduating from UCG. Having completed his philosphy studies at Cloughballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway, he proceded to SMA House, Dromantine, Newry, Co Down for theological studies. He became a permanent member of SMA on 12 June 1950 and was ordained at St Colman’s Cathedral, Newry on 13 June 1951.
He was assigned to Liberia for missionary work and his first posting was to Bassa on the difficult Kru Coast, in November 1951. He was later transferred to the Liberian capital, Monrovia, where he spent the remainder of his mission career.
In 1964 he was returned to Ireland and began mission promotion work at Blackrock Road. 1965-67 he spent in formation work at the Society’s Spiritual Year Programme at Clouhgballymore, Kilcolgan, Co Galway. He was again engaged on promotion work in Cork 1967-1969. In 1969 he moved to Dublin to spearhead the Society’s promotion work there. He was Superior of the SMA House, Wellington Road, for many years. There he conducted an active apostolate of personal visitation and correspondence with a large circle of our mission helpers and supporters. Failing health forced his retirement in 1998 and he took up residence in St Theresa’s Nursing Unit, Blackrock Road. He suffered a stroke on Wednesday, 26 April and was moved to the South Infirmary, Cork, where he died peacefully in the morning of 3 May.
His remains were removed from the Community Chapel at Blackrock Road to the SMA Parish Church, Wilton on Thursday, 4 June . The Funeral Mass will be concelebrated at Wilton on Friday, 5 June at 12 noon and will be followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
He is sadly mourned by his brother Vincent, by his sisters Kathleen, Anne and Linda, and by his nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dÃlis. Requiescat in pace.
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