Death of Fr Bill Clarkson MSC

It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the death of Fr Bill Clarkson MSC in Galway, Ireland on Tuesday 3rd March 2009. Bill died quickly after a brief illness during which he was hospitalised in University Hospital Galway.

His funeral mass took place in the Church of St Therese, Mount Merrion, Dublin on Thursday 6th March, followed by burial in the MSC plot in Deansgrange Cemetary, Dublin. The previous evening a removal service was held in the residence of the Croi Nua MSC Commnnity in Galway, followed by mass in the Church of Christ the King, Salthill, Galway.

His funeral services were led by his brother, Fr Eugene Clarkson MSC. They were attended by his close and extended family, many friends and former colleagues, his local MSC community in Galway, the Provincial Superior of the Irish Province, Fr Pat Courtney, and MSC confreres from Ireland and England.

Bill was born in Collooney, Co. Sligo on January 9th, 1932. When he was just two years old, the family moved to Kinnegad. When he was ten years old the family moved again, this time to Mullingar. He was educated by the Christian Brothers and always held this distinguished teaching order in great esteem. Bill was not just a dedicated student but was equally at home on the hurling and football fields.

Bill came from a very devout Catholic family, having a famous uncle, Fr Willie Clarkson, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart. It was no surprise when Bill entered the novitiate of the MSCs in August 1950 to begin his religious training. He was ordained priest on September 29th, 1956. After the completion of his theological studies he studied science at University College, Cork, acquiring a B.Sc. degree.

In 1960 he was appointed to St Bede’s College, Leamington Spa, England. This was the beginning of what proved to be a most distinguished career in teaching. In the field of Christian education it is not an exaggeration to claim that Bill was a natural. He was a most energetic and enthusiastic member of staff at St Bede’s and in 1966 he was most influential in establishing Princethorpe College where he was appointed deputy headmaster under Fr John Kevin Fleming. He was the obvious successor to Fr John Kevin who moved on to St Kevin’s School in Kirkby, Liverpool in 1969.

In his many years in Christian education in either an informal or formal leadership role, he made a profound impression on those who knew him. Apart from being a gifted and enthusiastic teacher, Bill was also a very compassionate and authentic mentor and colleague. The esteem in which he was held was not confined to the teachers and ancillary staff but also extended to the boys and their parents or guardians. So many old boys returned to renew an affectionate friendship which reinforced further the profound influence Bill had over their lives. This was one field of Christian ministry in which Bill could be said to have found his real vocation, but as can happen in life, outstanding success in one area leads to being considered for another area. The MSC Provincial now requested Bill to exercise his considerable leadership skills on a provincial level.

In 1981 he became Deputy Provincial, Provincial Secretary and Provincial Bursar under Fr Michael Curran. His outstanding performance in these roles made him an obvious choice in 1987 for Fr Tim Gleeson to appoint him again as Deputy Provincial and Provincial Bursar. After 13 years as provincial bursar he availed of a well earned sabbatical break when he took time out for personal renewal and study.

In 1995 he was appointed superior of the U.S.A. Section of the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. However, in 1997 ill health forced Bill to return to Ireland and to Galway where he exercised his skill as a spiritual director. In 1998 he was appointed parish priest of St Anne’s, Wappenbury, Warwickshire. As in all his other varied assignments, his integrity, compassion and pastoral commitment shone through and another rich chapter was added to a very dedicated life.

All through these later assignments Bill’s health continued to be a problem. He was often in great pain and yet he soldiered on. After six years in Wappenbury, he was appointed to Grace Dieu Retreat House, Waterford, where he ministered as a member of the retreat team.

In March 2007 Bill moved to the Croí Nua community in Galway, where he supported the work of the MSC Spirituality Centre. His prayerful and good humoured presence greatly enriched the life and work of the community. His continued interest and commitment to the work of the wider MSC province never waned. Even though at times his health continued to trouble him, he continued to attend committee meetings and MSC gatherings.

Bill will be sadly missed by his family, his religious community and the many people whose lives he touched. May his generous and faithful soul rest in the peace of the Lord whom he served with such dedication.

You can read an obituary posted on the website of Princethorpe College here.