OBITUARY: Tributes paid after sad passing of much-loved Tipperary Parish Priest

As news filtered through on January 25, 2023, of the passing of Fr John Egan, former Parish Priest of Lattin/Cullen, many people were left experiencing a sudden rush of mixed emotions.

There was a mixture of shock and grief on hearing of his passing, followed by a period of silent reflection.

Many paused to reflect upon a person who left an immeasurable impact on their lives, not only in the Parish of Lattin/Cullen, but right across the Diocese of Cashel and Emly.

Although the news was greeted with a deep sadness by many, there is no doubt that Fr John Egan left a lasting legacy behind him in the many parishes he served and in many of the roles he held right across the diocese.

Fr John Egan was born on April 12, 1943. A native of Lisheen, Moyne, he attended Moyne National School from 1948 to 1955, and from there, he proceeded to the CBS in Thurles from 1955 to 1961.

Upon finishing his Secondary Education he went to St Patrick’s College Maynooth from 1961 to 1968.

He was ordained as a Priest on June 21, 1968 by Dr Morris in St Michael’s Church Tipperary Town. He went to pursue further studies in Dunboyne Institute, where he obtained an STL.

In 1969 he took up a temporary Ministry in Westminster in London and also attended Strawberry Hill for Teacher Training from 1969 to 1972.

In January 1972 he was appointed as Curate in Bohernanave Parish in Thurles where he served diligently. From 1975 to 1976, he attended Mount Olive in Dundalk, where he studied Religious Education.

He was appointed as Curate on September 11, 1976 in Cashel and he began to work as the Diocesan Director of Catechetics.

He also taught in St Patrick’s College, Thurles carefully fostering the next generation of priests. On July 27, 1979 he was appointed as Curate in Pallasgreen, county Limerick.

He became the Parish Priest of Lattin/Cullen Parish on July 9, 1993, Thirty years ago this year. He sadly passed away on January 25, 2023.

Fr John, who was born to parents Dan and Alice had two brothers, Tom and Pat, along with six sisters Mary, Lena RIP, Anna in Ballinure, Margaret in Cork, Nano RIP and Bridget in Limerick. He had a great love and regard for his family and always looked forward to meeting and visiting them.

He held a great passion for Sport his whole life. He played Dr Harty Cup hurling in CBS Thurles and was also part of the famous Moyne Templetuohy GAA team in 1971 that won the Tipperary senior hurling championship final defeating Roscrea, their one and only County Senior success.

His great passion in life was golf and he often travelled abroad, especially to America, to play the game he loved so dearly.

He had a great love of nature and for birds and he was exceptionally good with his hands, he enjoyed fixing many different items from time to time.

He had a great sense of humour. He was a witty and intelligent man but also very generous with his time and kind in nature.

He always had a nice word for everyone he met.

Fr Egan was often found visiting people around the Parish in Lattin/Cullen and he was very much a night owl, to which many can attest, when he would come knocking for a chat late in the evening.

He was always greeted warmly by all his parishioners. He also had an exceptionally sweet tooth and was very much fond of a nice apple tart in many of the homes he visited.

He was especially loved by all the children in the Parish of Lattin/Cullen and he frequented all the local schools regularly: Mount Bruis, Shronell and Cullen.

He had a fantastic nature about him and a great way with the children.

He was always excellent to visit and to say Mass in the local Nursing Home in Shronell down throughout the years, and often obliged covering Masses in many of the local parishes of the area.

Fr Egan was heavily involved in all aspects of Parish life.

He was President of Lattin/Cullen GAA Club and he especially enjoyed attending events in Lattin Lawn Tennis Club where he was an Honorary Member, as well as keeping in touch with all the other Clubs and Societies throughout the parish.

One of the proudest moments of his tenure in Lattin/Cullen came in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Lattin Church in 2015.

His enthusiasm around that time was infectious and he demonstrated great leadership skills in organising and leading his Parishioners throughout the celebrations.

After retirement, he spent the last few years as Assistant Priest based in Cullen, a Village he grew to love, after he had previously spent many years living in Lattin.

His presence will be greatly missed by both young and old in Lattin/Cullen and beyond for many years to come.

May his gentle soul Rest In Eternal Peace.