Funeral arrangements announced for popular Waterford priest who passed away aged 92

The funeral arrangements for well-known Waterford priest, Fr Raymond Liddane, who sadly passed away at age 92, have been announced.

A hugely popular priest in Waterford, Fr Liddane served the Parish of St Joseph, St Benildus and St Mary for 46 years. 

He was ordained as a priest in June 1955, at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford. He celebrated his diamond anniversary and would have marked his platinum anniversary this summer. 

Though he retired from the Parish in 2008, Fr Liddane continued to serve as an Associate Pastor up until his death and could be seen helping out at Midnight Mass as recently as Christmas just gone. 

After his ordainment, Fr Liddane served the Middlesbrough Parish, from 1955 until 1960, going on to the parishes of Dunhill and Fenor, from 1960 to 1962, then Ballybricken from 1962 until 1968 and Tramore from 1968 until 1979.

Fr Liam Power wrote a kind tribute: "Fr Liddane was appointed as Adm to the Parish of St. Joseph and St. Benildus and St Mary’s, in 1979 and was appointed as the first Parish Priest in 1985. He retired in 2008 but continued to serve as Associate Pastor right up until his death. He celebrated the 10am Mass on Christmas morning and delivered a beautiful homily."

"He was deeply loved as a pastor and was totally committed to the pastoral care of parishioners," wrote Fr Power.

"He will be greatly missed. His presence in the parish over 46 years was always one of warmth and compassion. He was loyal to his vocation as a priest up to the very last."

"He made a significant contribution to Catholic education in the parish, serving as Chairman of the Board of Management in St John of God School for over 40 years," said Fr Power.

"Generations of pupils have fond memories of Fr Ray visiting the classes and preparing them for the sacraments. He also served as Chairman of the Board in St Mary’s Ballygunner for nearly 30 years. He was responsible for the building of the new school in Ballugunner and the subsequent development of the school as the local population increased," he added.

Fr Power finished his tribute by emphasising the enormous sense of loss experienced by all who knew Fr Liddane: "There is a palpable sense of mourning and loss in the parish as we prepare for the funeral liturgies. He touched the lives of so many families in such a positive way. He was a great witness to the faith he professed and exemplary in his dedication to the ministry of the priest."

The funeral reception for Fr Liddane's remains will take place at 3pm on Thursday, January 16, to St Joseph & Benildus Church, Newtown, Waterford. 

Fr Liddane's remains will lay in repose from 3pm to 7pm in the church, followed by evening prayer at 7pm. Requiem Mass will take place on Friday, January 17, at 12noon in St Joseph & Benildus Church, followed by burial in St Mary's Cemetery, Dungarvan, Co Waterford.