The death occurred recently of Fr. Tony Hoade in Australia. He was aged 79 and a native of Corofin. He played football for Corofin and later for Fr. Griffins in Galway city. He was an outstanding person, an excellent priest, who always had an ear for those who were disadvantaged, marginalise, exploited or homeless. Throughout his life also. he maintained a very good sense of humour that earned him friends in many walks of life down under. He was born in Corofin in April 1929 and ordained in Kilkenny in 1954. He decided to set sail for Australia as a young priest and arrived there after a 5 week journey in January 1955. He commenced his duties in the diocese of Lismore- north of Sydney- in New South Wales. He served in a number of areas and was appointed parish priest of Tweed Heads- about 90 miles west of Queensland, the capital of Brisbane, in 1967. He undertook and completed a major business programme, which consisted of a church, school and community centre, along the Tweed River, as well as other parochial developments in the diocese. Fr. Tony's great Christian attitude made him one of the most popular priests in Australia throughout his life. His great love of sports and his support for sporting organisations made him a welcome member of many communities regardless of faith or creed. He always looked on the positive and pleasant side of life and with a lively sense of humour, he was always great company. His kind and charitable approach will long be remembered in Tweed Heads on the border of New South Wales and Queensland. In later years, he was a welcome visitor at the home of Annaghdown man Tom Cahill and his wife, Jan. Tom a retired government official, is a native of Gortbeg, Corandulla and lives in the Tweed Heads area. There was some great discussions of Corofin and Annaghdown football matches and of life in general in the Galway region. Tony Cahill and his wife Jan described Fr Hoade as one of the greatest Christian personalities they have met. Carraroe man Peter Walsh, who also knew Fr Hoade, spent many pleasant hours in his company. Headford man Bill McDonagh and his wife Pat also knew Fr Hoade when he was in the Sydney area. Over one thousand people turned out for Fr Hoade's funeral at St Joseph's church in Tweed Heads. Thirty- six priests, led by Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett of Lismore diocese paid their respects. Fr Jim Reilly gave a memorable and highly deserved homily which was deeply appreciated. Fr Jim has very pleasant memories when he accompanied Fr Tony on one of his last visits to Galway on which he recalled with great pleasure. The large gathering also included members of the Tyrrell and King families of Tweed Heads as well as friends and representatives of sporting organisations from many parts of Australia. Primary school children formed a guard of honour. The organist was Diana Allen and soloist was Greg Pieris. As the funeral cortege left for the cemetery at Duranbah, bagpiper Duncan Wilson gave a great performance of "Wearing of the Green". In all, it was a fitting tribute to a great priest and Irishmen. He was awarded the Centenary medal for community involvement in 2005 by Prime Minister John Howard. Fr Hoade is survived in Galway by his sister Doreen (Colbert)and Mary ( Kenny), brothers-in-law Dr Dom Colbert and Jim Kenny and his sister-in-law Rita Hoade. A memorial mass for Fr Tony Hoade will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, galway at 12.00 noon on Sunday August 3, 2008. Connacht Tribune, 25/07/08 Tweet

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