The Late Father Phil Purcell New Zealand and Littleton The late Father Phil Purcell, a native of Littleton died peacefully in Auckland, New Zealand last May after a short illness. He was born in Littleton on 29th April, 1916 (Easter week) and was ordained in Thurles Cathedral on 11th June, 1939 by Rev. Dr. Kinnane, then Bishop of Waterford. He was a former pupil of Littleton National School and Thurles Christian Brothers school. Father Phil Purcell left for New Zealand on 12th December, 1939 from Tilbury Docks in London. The ship on which he travelled was called the "Rangitan" and travelled in convoy via Capetown in South Africa and the journey took seven weeks arriving in Auckland at the end of January, 1940. The passengers included five other priests who had volunteered for the New Zealand missions. They were from Kilkenny and no doubt hurling was discussed during the long trek. The ship was later sunk by the Germans as part of the on-going 1939 1945 world war two. During his years in New Zealand, Father Purcell served in1940 1943 Lower Hut parish in Arch diocese of Wellington (on loan); 1943 1946 Huntly, a small mining town, north of Hamilton; 1946 1952 Whakatane on the coast: 1952 1954 Avon dale, a parish in the suburbs of Auckland: 1954 1963 Parish Priest of Kailohe in the Bay of Islands: 1963 1976: Parish Priest Whakatane: 1976 1982: Parish Priest Te Awamutu, a small country town: 1982 - 1995- Parish Priest of Paeroa: 1996 1997 in residence in Whakatane: 1998 2007 Chaplain to Sisters of St. Joseph on the Sacred Heart, in Mission Bay, Auckland; Fr. Purcell traversed the 14,000 miles to visit Ire land every ten years on stays of six months and usually spent the time in Littleton with members of the Purcell family and always looked forward to such trips to reminisce once again with his old remain ing friends and family members. He was a great conversationalist and his company was always sought after. He always recalled all the old families who lived in the parish and all the old sporting events especially the game of hurl ing. He was a social gentleman and always man aged this without ever comprising on his faith. On one such visit home he visited the European Parliament and was believed to be the first ever to say "Grace Before Meals" in the busy European Parliament restaurant. In 1999 he celebrated the diamond jubilee of his ordination with a visit home. In his younger years he was an excellent hurler, playing usually at wing back. and played on the great Moycarkey-Borris teams of the 1930's. In 1933 he won an Harty Cup medal with Thurles C.B.S. and also won an All Ireland medal with Tipperary Minor Hurlers. In 1937 in the Killarney All Ireland Senior Hurling Final, Father Phil was thrilled to receive a call up to the panel for that game not having been on the Munster Final squad. This was brought about by his great displays for his club at wing back. For that game he roomed with a number of clubmates, Johnny and Paddy Ryan (Sweeper) and Tom Kennedy. In 1938 "The Cooney Case" year it was felt that Tipperary were deprived of winning the All Ireland after defeat ing Clare in the first round and then getting suspended over playing Jimmy Cooney. In those days clerical students once they returned to the seminary were not let out to play games. By the time that Tipperary won their next Munster Championship in 1941, Father Purcell had settled into his New Zealand mission fields. His late brother Tom won an All Ireland in 1945. He kept abreast of all G.A.A. happenings at home through cuttings from the Tipperary Star, always for warded to him, and in later years through videos of all the major games. Before departing for New Zealand in 1939, Father Phil was presented by the Moycarkey / Two-Mile-Borris G.A.A. Club with a special scroll designed by Sister Oliver (a member of the Maher family of Coolcroo), Thurles, Presentation Convent, Thurles. The scroll was signed by Father Richard Fitzgerald, Club President and great hurlers and administrators .of he time, John Joe Hayes (Ballyerk). Jimmy Bourke (Rathcunnikeen) and his cousin Phil Purcell (Littleton), later to become Secretary of the Tipperary County Board and stalwart Moycarkey and Tipperary hurler. On a visit home after the "ban" was lifted Father Phil in conversation with John Joe Hayes said to his great friend that he thought he would never see soccer played in Ballyerk to which John Joe quickly retorted "did you ever think you could eat meat on a Friday". Father Purcell was always a man who kept exceptionally fit and liked his game of golf. During his long ministry in New Zealand Father Purcell endeared himself to the thousands of parishioners over the years and was known for his kindness to the needy and poor and left his stamp of personality and contributed a great deal both spiritually and materially of his flock. Father Phil was buried in Ohaupoi Catholic Cemetery following Requiem Mass in the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hamilton. Principal celebrant of the Mass was Monsignor David Bennett assisted by priests and religious from all over New Zealand. Courtesy of the Tipperary STar June 2007 Tweet

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