The death took place on September 17th last of the Rev. Patrick Mac Dermott.

 

 Fr. Padraig (as he was known to his family) was born in Edeninfagh, Glenties, in 1940 and was the son of the late Con and Frances Mc Dermott and brother of the late Con, Seamus and Gerry.

 

Fr. Padraig attended the local primary school in Edeninfagh where his father Con was the Principal teacher. He received his secondary education in St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny. Later he attended St. John’s College in Waterford where he was ordained a priest on June 14th 1964.  In September 1964, he was assigned as assistant Pastor of Nativity BVM Parish, Biloxi, Mississippi. He served in many parishes as Pastor in Biloxi diocese and finally in Our Lady of Victories Parish, Pascagoula where he served until his retirement in 2010. 

 

Because of his dedication and hard work, Fr Padraig was extremely popular in all the parishes he served in. This was demonstrated by the huge numbers who attended his Mass for Christian Burial held in Pascagoula last Monday. There was a great showing and outpouring of love and admiration by his former parishioners.

 

Fr Padraig never lost his love for his native country and travelled to Ireland every summer on vacation. He also visited all his friends and relations and travelled extensively throughout the country. Never losing his interest in Irish sports, he was a keen and avid fan of the Donegal football team and indeed all GAA matters. Every Sunday night during football season he rang his brothers and sister asking for match scores and accounts of matches. He was especially proud when Brian Mc Eniff managed the county team to win the All Ireland Football final in 1992. And again in 2012 when Glenties man Jim Guinness managed the Donegal All Ireland winning team.  Fr Padraig played a lot of Gaelic football himself and to a very high standard whilst attending both St Eunan’s College and St John’s College, Waterford. He was also a keen handball player – a game widely promoted in St Eunan’s College. 

 

Golf was his passion sport in Mississippi and he played it a lot with his friends. After settling down in Mississippi he soon became interested and became a great supporter of American football and baseball. Later he became a fan of the Notre Dame college football team and of the local Saints football team in New Orleans – often attending their games. 

 

Fr Padraig was a wonderful family man and every member of his family visited him many times in Mississippi. His parents, Con and Frances, visited Mississippi on numerous occasions. Although they had a little difficulty at first understanding the drawl of the deep south, they soon mastered it and they loved the American way of life – the food and the culture. They enjoyed the hospitality of the people of Mississippi and socialising with them was one of the joys while on holiday there. On their return from Mississippi Con and Frances had many stories and anecdotes to tell their friends and neighbours.

 

Fr Padraig is deeply regretted by his brothers Donal and Liam, their sister Rosaleen Deery, brother in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and a large circle of friends. He is regretted also by Bishop Alan Mc Guckian and priests of Raphoe diocese. Also regretted by Bishop Kihneman and priests of Biloxi diocese. 

 

Fr Padraig’s remains will arrive in Dublin airport tomorrow, (Saturday). His remains will be removed to Edeninfagh Church, arriving at 5pm. Visitation will take place in the church between 5pm and 7pm, and prayers will be said at 7pm. Funeral mass will take place at 2pm on Sunday before burial in Edeninfagh graveyard. 

 

May he rest in peace.