24 April, 2021 01:00
FR Felix McGuckin was once described as the hardest working priest in the whole of Ireland .
Over more than 60 years of ministry he led by example in developing new church and school buildings for growing Catholic populations across the diocese of Down and Connor.
He also combined pastoral work with chaplaincy duties to prisoners in Crumlin Road gaol and patients in Holywell, Masserene, Purdysburn and Belvoir Park hospitals.
Always humble, he would typically respond to criticism of people with ‘Is that so?’ or ‘There you are’.
A clerical friend said: He made a deep impression on people, not because he tried, but because he was authentic.