Connaught Telegraph: Mayo mourns passing of widely-respected missionary priest

The death of Fr. Brendan Hoban (Columban Fathers), late of Westport Road, Castlebar, Korea, Australia and Dalgan Park, Navan, is deeply mourned in the community.

He died last Friday in the loving care of the staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

Many warm tributes have been paid to the deceased on social media where he was described as “a kind and special person.”

Predeceased by his parents Christy and Nancy (Byrne), who ran a grocery business at Castle Street, Castlebar, for many years, and sister Maria, he is very deeply regretted by his brother John, sisters Anne, Carmel, Sheila, Ber and Claire, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, Columban family and friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

Requiem Mass was celebrated Tuesday at 11 a.m. followed by burial in the Community Cemetery.

“Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.”

Liamy Mac Nally writes: Brendan was a great supporter of the ACP and loved attending the AGMs and other ACP sponsored meetings. He was a brilliant missionary priest who had a deep understanding of the life-changing power of faith in people’s lives.

Practical and full of common sense Brendan had an innate sense of justice and was steeped in wisdom. A loyal friend, deeply spiritual and with a great sense of humour, Brendan will be deeply missed by his family, Columban colleagues and a wider circle of friends.

He had a great affinity with his native Castlebar and nearby Westport, the birthplace of his late father, Christy. A visit West for Brendan meant visiting several homes as he called on relatives and friends. His last visit West was on 14 January to concelebrate a memorial Mass for his Columban colleague Tommy Murphy, also a Castlebar native with strong Westport (Kilmeena ) connections. Tommy died in Hong Kong on 6 Jan, RIP.

Deepest sympathy to his brother John (and Isabela), sisters Anne, Carmel, Sheila, Ber and Claire, extended family and Columban colleagues and friends.

Leaba i measc na nAingeal agus na Naomh go raibh aige.