OBITUARY NOTICE OF FR. RONAN NOHILLY C.P. Fr. Ronan Nohilly, who had been in failing health for the past year, was found dead on the 17th October, 1967 at 8 p.m. (approx). He had died in the presbytery of his cousin, Fr. Sean Higgins C.C. Cashel, Co. Galway, with whom he had been staying. Only the day before, he had been discharged from the Regional Hospital, Galway, much improved in health, after five weeks treatment for heart trouble. The news of his death came as a great shock, therefore, to St. Anne’s Community and the whole Province. John Nohilly, as he was known in the world, was born in Cummer, Tuam, Co. Galway on the 23rd June, 1904. At the age of fourteen he entered the alumniate at Sandymount, Dublin, during the summer of 1918. Two years later he went to the Graan, Enniskillen, to begin his novitiate, being professed on the 6th January, 1921. At. St. Anne’s Sutton he was to begin and complete his studies for the priesthood, under Fr. Pius Carolan and Fr. Norbert Hughes (R.I.P.). When his companions were ordained on the 18th September, 1926, Fr. Ronan was too young to be ordained with them. He had to wait until the following year, when he was raised to the priesthood at St. Paul’s Retreat, Ilkley on the 2nd April. Not long after his ordination he was appointed Vice-Master. When Fr. Joseph Smith was elected Rector of St. Mary’s Carmarthen, Fr. Ronan went there as his Vicar. He was to accompany Fr. Joseph in the same capacity to St. Gabriel’s Retreat, Blythe Hall. Afterwards he was destined to hold many offices in the Province. He was a Provincial Consultor, Rector of Carmarthen for six years, Rector in Herne Bay etc, etc. As a Superior he was known to be firm, even stern at times, but always just. He led by example and expected others to follow. Whilst he was fulfilling these various offices, he was called upon frequently to give Missions and Retreats. He was not blessed with robust health, nevertheless he remained actively engaged until last year, in giving Missions and Retreats both to the secular clergy and to religious. His success in this field of the apostolate can be measured by the fact that he was invited back to the same communities time and again. Fr. Ronan, affectionately known to his classmates as “John of Tuam”(an echo of Archb. McHale!), had wonderful knowledge of the life and history of the province, and enjoyed reminiscing. Also he had a reputation for being “cute” – only those who considered him so, will know what that meant. Certainly he was of a retiring disposition, with a quiet sense of humour and fun, peculiarly his own, which was not always understood or appreciated by his brethren. The Fr. Ronan I knew, was ever-priestly, patient, considerate, kind to all, especially the sick – one ever ready not only to answer but often to anticipate the call of obedience. Undoubtedly this was his outstanding characteristic – his respect for and obedience to authority. Fr. Ronan was not brought “home” to St. Anne’s, Sutton for burial but on the 20th October ‘67, after Solemn Requiem Mass, was laid to rest in Mount Argus cemetery. For this last kindness towards a brother Passionist, we and his relatives are most grateful to the Very Rev. Fr. Provincial and the members of St. Patrick’s Province. Signed: Fr. Hilary C.P., Rector.