[Siobhan]

My father was born in County Donegal in Ireland. He moved the family to the United States on his 18th birthday. He had a career in the Marines and upon retirement, he and my mother moved to the Holy Land first to Bethlehem and then to Nazareth. My mother taught, and my father did whatever the Church needed at the time. He said he started off life as the son of a tinker, and now here he was tinkering for the Lord in Bethlehem.

He loved Bethlehem. When a need arose in Nazareth, they relocated but they weren't there very long before he had a stroke. He had a good recovery from that stroke, and my parents moved to Spain to live near a number of old friends. Honestly, they were tired of all of their kids hovering over them. They loved their time there but returned to the US when it was clear that something else was wrong with his health. It was discovered that he had a growth encircling his spine. He underwent both chemo and radiation and then finally surgery.

My father is and was a great man in this world that has too few great men. He loved his wife with his life, and he raised a family that is a testimony to him today.

He was first of all a believer in Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the Son of God. Second, he was devoted to the Blessed Mother. Third, he was a devout Catholic Christian.

But for all of that the most important thing to me is that he is my Da.

Most folks knew my father by the name "Greg" which was his confirmation name. His Christian names were Kieran Padraic Seamus -- honestly, you can't get more Irish than that. If anyone wishes to remember him by way of a memorial, you can make a donation in memory of "Kieran of County Donegal" to:

Aid to the Church in Need
ACN-USA
378 Broome Street
New York, N.Y., 10013-3706

You may wish to designate any donation for the ACN's work in helping the Church in Syria, the Sudan, or in East Timor all of which are important to my father.

I have been advised not to give out more detailed information so as to protect our family's privacy. I regret that it must be that way, but I hope you understand the need for that in this age.

Today is one of the Roman Catholic feast days of St. Mary the Blessed Mother. I like to think of our Mother holding young Michael, Oxford's son in her arms and welcoming my father home. May we all find peace with Christ for time and eternity. Amen.

[Siobhan]

A request for your prayers, and a thank you for your kindness to my late father, history_matters.

[Senator Pardek]

This is very sad - he was a brilliant and decent man. Prayers for you.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus.

So sorry to hear of the passing of your father and a brother Marine. May he rest in peace.

[backhoe]

I am very sorry to learn of this. May the Father of peace send His Peace to those who mourn, and comfort to the bereaved.

[RightOnline]

May God bless you as you have blessed your father's name with such a wonderful tribute. It is clear that such a man is now in the presence of the Good Lord and his pain & suffering have ended forever.

The world was a better place because of your father. God bless him, his works, the Catholic Church (I'm an evangelical, myself..........and have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for the Catholic Church), and your family..........your blessedly GROWING family. The announcement of the engagement was an incredible thing for your father, you can rest assured. It seems as if he felt "ok; good; NOW I can go home..........".

[sinkspur]

Your father is in the company of the Good Lord, and in the bosom of Abraham who, no doubt, as the father of a great lineage, will have much to share.

A heroic defender of the Faith is now able to supplicate for us as we pray for the Holy Spirit to bring those of us who are left behind to a renewed sense of service in our Church.

[Polycarp]

God Bless your Da, Siobhan, and may He grant him eternal rest.

History_Matters leaves us here with a great legacy of real Catholic piety and patient, charitable apologetics. I recomment everyone visit History_Matters' profile page, visit his threads and links, and browse the wisdom he shared with us in his posts, as we all join in prayers for him and his family.

[MarMema]

Your father was a truly Christ-filled man. I am glad I had the honor of knowing him in this world, and I hope to have the honor of meeting him again in the next.

[eastsider]

My condolences to you and your family. I shall remember your father fondly. Thank you for taking the time to share this news with us.

Domine, Jesu Christe, Rex gloriae,
libera animas omnium fidelium defunctorum
de poenis inferni
et de profundo lacu.
Libera eas de ore leonis
ne absorbeat eas tartarus,
ne cadant in obscurum;
Sed signifer sanctus Michael
repraesentet eas in lucem sanctam,
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti
et semini eius.

Hostias et preces tibi, Domine
laudis offerimus
tu suscipe pro animabus illis,
quarum hodie memoriam facimus.
Fac eas, Domine, de morte
transire ad vitam.
Quam olim Abrahae promisisti
et semine eius.

May the angels greet him in paradise, Siobhan.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

‘S e an Tighearna mo bhuachaille:
Cha bhi mi ann an dìth;
Ann an cluaintean uaine bheir E orm laighe sìos;
Làimh ri uisgeachan ciùine treòraichidh mi.

Beòthaichidh E m'anam,
Treòraichidh E mi
Air slighe na fìrinn air sgàth ainm fhèin,
Air slighe na fìrinn air sgàth ainm fhèin.

Seadh, ged tha mi siubhal
Tro ghleann sgàil a' bhàis,
Chan eil eagal orm ro olc, oir tha Thusa maille rium -
Do shlat agus do lorg bheir iad cofhurtachd dhomh.

Deasaichidh Tu bòrd fom chomhair
Ann am fianais mo nàimhdean;
Dh'ung Thu le ola mo cheann;
Tha mo chup' a' cur thairis.

Gu cinnteach leanaidh mathas agus tròcair mi
Uile làithean mo bheatha,
Agus nì mi còmhnaidh fad mo làithean
Ann an taigh ‘s an àros an Tighearna.

[ELS]

I am simultaneously so sorry to hear of your father's passing, he made a significant contribution to FR - I will miss him, and happy to hear that "Da had a smile on his face. There was the overwhelming aroma of roses."

I hope you stay on at FR. I appreciate your flags to Catholic related threads. I think you underestimate your impact on FR.

Congratulations for your son! What a beautiful story. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

[Askel5]

His was a beautiful and -- given the announcement, surrounded by family -- surely a most happy and peaceful death. Very fitting.

I'm so sorry for you and your family ... even if I'm happy for your Da. All of you are in my prayers. I'm not sure when we've had the opportunity to witness such grace and strength under such trying and painful circumstances. Thank you so much for the posts.

We shall miss your Dad very much. I know I will. I hope you'll stick around.

Chris.

[sneakers]

This day, heaven has gained two sweet souls full of love and innocence. I know Our Lady was there to escort your Da to her most precious Son.

I, for one, have missed HM terribly while at the same time being so blessed to have you in his stead. I was hoping you'd both be on together someday.

Heaven is rejoicing today in welcoming such a wonderful, gentle soul! God Bless you and your family, and may Christ and his dear mother comfort your family with the consolation of knowing that he died in Christ. Please accept my sincere condolences.

[Domestic Church]

Sending condolences and prayers, Siobhan. The Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary too...as if he hand picked the day but we know her Son did. The Catholicism even in his departure is stunning, after the Rosary and the Chaplet, and after the Announcement of Joy and then the smell of Roses...all a testimony to his tremendous heart and piety. God bless your family. Like St. Theresa I think he will be helping us here in days to come.

[firewalk]

Prayers on their way.

[cowgirlcutie]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.

[JMJ333]

Songs of Farewell

May the choirs of angels come to greet them.
May they speed them to paradise.
May the lord enfold them in his mercy
May they find eternal life.

One thing I ask, oh Lord this I seek
To dwell forever in your house
That I may gaze on your lovliness
All the days of eternity.

Into Your hands we commend Their Spirits
Into Your hands we commend their souls.May the Angels lead them into paradise
May the martyrs receive them at their coming
And take them to Jerusalem the Holy City.

The First Glorious Mystery, The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus rises from the dead.

He said to them, "Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.'" - Mark 16:6-7

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Amen.

[Our Father] Pater noster, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in caelo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo. Amen

[Hail Mary] Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

[Glory Be] Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

[Come Holy Spirit] Veni, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium, et tui amoris in eis accende.

V. Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur.

R. Et renovabis faciem terrae.

The second mystery will start when I post a painting of the ascension--the decades will be about 5 minutes apart. Thank you to anyone who is participating.

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

May the soul of this and all faithful departed, through the Mercy of God rest in Peace!

We will dearly miss your father's posts, but look forward to his heavenly intercession. Please continue to fill in for him here!

Am praying the Rosary for him and your family now...God Bless...

[Lady In Blue]

Siobhan, you can't begin to know how touched I am by your description of your dad.I was especially touched by the smile on his face and the scent of roses! I will certainly say a pray for him.I think I'll do it right now just in case I forget.

[constitutiongirl]

Siobhan, I'm so sorry. The world's loss is Heaven's gain. You know how much I cared for and respected your Da. I'm signing off now to join JMJ333 in the Rosary.