County Derry priest 'touched many hearts', funeral told

A County Derry priest who passed away earlier this week 'touched many hearts' his funeral has heard.

Fr Eugene Hasson, a native of Dungiven, who was the parish priest of Drumragh in Co Tyrone, died on Monday, January 12.

Fr Hasson's funeral took place earlier today (Friday, January 16) in the Sacred Heart Church in Omagh.

Hundreds of mourners gathered in the Tyrone chapel to pay their final respects to the priest, aged 70, who spent most of his ministry in the county.

Fr John Phair, PP of Kinlough, Co Leitrim, said he was both 'honoured and moved' when, a few months ago, Fr Hasson asked him to preach the homily at his funeral.

He explained that the pair had been friends for over 56 years having first met in Maynooth College in September 1974 on Fr Hasson's first day there.

“It was my last year, his first. Our connection? My uncle Fr George Doherty had been curate in Dungiven in Eugene’s youth. We became lifelong friends. Eugene actually preached the homily at my uncle’s funeral nine years ago. I was honoured to be asked to celebrate his parents’ silver jubilee Mass as he was still a seminarian as the time and could not celebrate the Mass,” he said.

Born to Charlie Hasson and Kathleen McLaughlin on August 3 1955 Fr Eugene was baptised in St Eugene’s Cathedral in Derry. He attended St Patrick’s Primary School in Dungiven and later St Columb’s College in Derry. He studied for the priesthood in Maynooth College and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Derry in Dungiven on June 14 1980.

Fr Phair said: “His first appointment after ordination was to this parish as curate in 1980 and most of his 45 years priestly ministry was spent here in the Tyrone Deanery. He loved the people of Tyrone and touched many hearts as all the prayer intentions and good wishes he received recently testify. As a child he spent much time with his grandmother in Glenroan. He served here at a tumultuous time for this community and always tried to promote peace, justice and reconciliation.”

Fr Hasson served in Drumragh between 1980 and 1991 and Killyclogher from 1991 to 1999 before going on sabbatical in USA from 1999 to 2001. When he returned to the diocese he served in the Waterside in Derry from 2001 to 2006, in Claudy from 2006 to 2007, as a P.P. in Greencastle from 2007 to 2015, P.P. in Lavey and Greenlough from 2015 to 2016 and back again as P.P. in Drumragh from 2016.

“He was a dedicated pastor, caring for all his parishioners and a loyal friend to his fellow priests. Eugene was Chaplain in Omagh Hospital at the time of the Omagh bomb. He buried his mother on the Thursday and the Omagh tragedy occurred on the Saturday. As soon as he heard the news he headed straight back to Omagh and became so totally immersed in caring for the victims that he didn’t get to bed until the following Wednesday night,” continued Fr Phair.

“He was a committed ecumenist and subsequently he helped set up the Omagh Churches’ Forum in response to the trauma which resulted. I imagine many of you will remember his memorable words of welcome on the occasion of the 25^th anniversary of the Omagh Bombings when he called for a future of peace and understanding, dialogue and compassion. Understanding is what bridges the gaps between us, he said. Love is the only thing that can overcome hate. How relevant those words of his are in the world in which we are currently living.”

The congregation heard how Fr Hasson had studied art for his A levels and had 'an eye for excellence'.

“He was a good organiser. His attitude was that if you are doing something do it well. And do it big. Just last year he organised a celebration of the 125^th Centenary of this church, the Sacred Heart, Omagh and he obviously alluded to St Mary’s Drumragh in applying for the papal blessing as it is also included in Pope Francis’ blessing. He left no one out. And the line-up of special speakers for the week - Eugene succeeded in enlisting all the heavy hitters, Cardinal Brady, Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop Dermot Farrell and the Papal Nuntio, to mention a few. How he succeeded in persuading these busy prelates to come is beyond me,” said the priest.

Fr Hasson loved the USA and spent two years there on sabbatical obtaining a Masters in Psychology and Counselling from Loyola University, Maryland USA.

Fr Phair said: “Many of the friends he made then are still close to him and have been very supportive during his illness. He loved his time there and often talked about it. Eugene had spent many summers during his days in the seminary with the Benedictine Sisters in Ridgley where he worked at their School for Exceptional Children. During those two years I often thought he might not return but stay there in an American diocese. His sister Fiona was living in US at that time and the two were very close. But his loyalty to his own diocese was stronger and he returned to Derry and soon was appointed to be PP of Greencastle where he spent eight happy years.”

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The funeral heard that, aside from family, one of Fr Hasson's great loves was his beloved mare Sorcha.

“He had a great fondness for horses and when one visited him part of the ritual was going out to admire Sorcha and especially when she produced her foal,” he said.

“He enjoyed looking after her and riding out and made great friends in the equine world. His greatest joy was when Sorcha retired and he made her available to help the children at the Riding for the Disabled. He was very grateful to the people who encouraged him to realise his childhood dream of owning a horse.”

Fr Phair said Fr Hasson was 'a very fit man' who enjoyed running marathons, walking and travelling abroad.

“He looked in superb condition. Hence, the news of his illness came as a great shock to us. It must have been so traumatic for him. After his initial shock and trauma he accepted his prognosis with courage, dignity and faith,” continued Fr Phair.

“Friendship and loyalty to his friends was a true mark of Eugene. He’s had friends from USA and Scotland come all the way specially to visit him since he became ill. He would have done the same for them.

“I offer our deepest sympathy to his family. We his friends and parishioners are sad today. But our sadness pales in comparison to what his family are feeling. I offer our deepest sympathy to Fearghal (Brigid), Cáthal (Eileen) and Fiona Grant (Brian) adored uncle of Peadár, Nulagh, Emmett and Cara, Bishop McKeown and the priests of Derry Diocese, present and former parishioners and his friends.”

The priest paid special tribute to Fr Hasson's sister Fiona, who cared for him during his illness.

“Fiona’s was his home from home in Dungiven. He loved spending time there. In that regard I would like to pay tribute to Fiona and Brian for their care for him since he became ill. As soon as she understood the seriousness of Eugene’s illness she took leave of her job to care for him in her home. She has parked her life for him for the last 4 months. Eugene was so grateful to her. In that regard his family are very appreciative of the care he received in his last week in the Foyle Hospice and thankful for the kindness of the staff.”

Fr Phair concluded by saying that Fr Eugene was 'true to the ideals of his youthful priesthood.'

“Yes, there were times when the stresses of parochial life got him down. But he faithfully continued to care for his flock. In his gentle, quiet, diligent, dutiful pastoring and leadership, in his care for the sick, the dying and the bereaved, in preparing children for their sacraments, in his chaplaincy work in Omagh and Altnagelvin hospitals and with the pupils in the various secondary schools he was appointed to he showed the face of our loving God to many people,” he added.

Fr Hasson was laid to rest in the cemetery at St Patrick's Church in his native Dungiven.