Tributes Paid To Father Owen O’Neill

Tributes are being paid to a popular former Market Harborough Priest, who has died aged 80.

Father Owen O’Neill was Priest at Our Lady of Victories Roman Catholic Church for 19 years, before his retirement last September.

He dedicated over 50 years of his life to the Ministry and was well-known in the town.

Father Owen passed away peacefully at Peaker Park Care Home in Market Harborough on Saturday, following a short illness.

Phil Knowles, a member of the congregation at the Church, said: “My family and I were so sad to hear news of the death of Fr Owen.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

“I have many happy memories of his time here with us in Market Harborough. He was Priest to many and  a Friend to all”

A spokesperson for Churches Together in Harborough said: “Fr Owen had been a popular figure around the area. Churches are being asked to remember him, his family in Ireland and the local Catholic community in their prayers.

“He had been a priest for 55 years, and had spent his final days at Peaker Park residential home in the town. The current priest at Our Lady of Victories, Fr Christopher O’Connor, was able to give him Holy Communion on Easter Sunday.”

Funeral arrangements are still to be announced.

Father Own O’Neill