The longest serving ‘Minister of Religion’ in Sidmouth has died aged 95, just days after receiving Papal blessing from Pope Francis.

The year 2023 was a special one for Father Patrick Kilgarriff, a long-time Sidmouth resident and parish priest. June 21 was the 70-year anniversary of his ordination as a priest. He was able to celebrate this special anniversary just before he died on July 2nd.

Sidmouth Herald: Father Paddy Kilgarriff on the day of his ordination, 1953

Father Patrick Kilgarriff was born on 12 October 1927 in Ballaghadereen, County Roscommon, Ireland. He first came to Plymouth in 1953 and finally settled in Sidmouth in 1979 until his resignation from active ministry in September 2002.

When he retired, Fr Paddy was the longest serving ‘Minister of Religion’ in the town, widely respected by his brethren, and seen as a wise elder brother.  

He was also the longest serving governor of St John’s school in Sidmouth and chaplain to the Sisters of the Assumption in Sidmouth until the convent closed.  After retirement, he stayed on in Sidmouth continuing to use his considerable pastoral gifts.

Sidmouth Herald: Father Patrick

Numerous tributes that attest to Fr Paddy’s devoted pastoral care to people in the community of Sidmouth were shared on his special anniversary. One parishioner wrote about Fr Paddy’s kindnesses towards his wife, who lived with Parkinson’s for 17 years: “During her last years, great pleasure and excitement was to be found every Friday morning when Father kindly brought Holy Communion to her. It gave her a very great lift and enabled her to cope with the rigours of the week ahead.”  Another said: “Father was known to many people from other churches and different walks of life, because of his beaming smile and his readiness to stop and chat. He had that precious commodity of making each and everyone feel they matter and are special.”

Canon Paul Cummins, resident priest at Sidmouth presented Fr Paddy with a blessing from Pope Francis at his Platinum Jubilee celebration. Fr Paddy provided faithful and loving service to the people of Sidmouth for many years and was a treasured member of the Sidmouth community.  

On hearing of his death, Sidmouth parishioner Jill McGauley said: “He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of just about every family in Sidmouth and a fantastic memory which no-one could match. He knew and was known and loved by so many people in Sidmouth and beyond. Rest in peace, dear Father Paddy and rise in glory. You will remain in our hearts and will always be remembered here in Sidmouth, where you spent so much of your life.”