Ronan Geary SJ laid to rest

Ronan Geary SJ died peacefully on the evening of Thursday 25 April 2024, in the Jesuit’s Cherryfield nursing home where he had spent the last 14 years. He was 90 years old.

His family, friends, and fellow-Jesuits attended his funeral Mass in Gardiner St Church on Tuesday 30 April. Michael Kirwan SJ presided, and Brian Grogan SJ preached the homily.

Fr Ronan was born in Dublin on 16 January 1934. He was raised in Limerick, where he attended the Model School and the Christian Brothers School, before moving to Clongowes Wood College SJ in Clane. His third level education was in UCD.

On 6 September 1958 Ronan joined the Jesuits at St Mary’s, Emo, County Laois, and took his first vows there two years later. He took his final vows in Milltown Park Chapel on 2 February 1976.

Ronan was a teacher and chaplain for a large part of his Jesuit life. He began those ministries in Bolton St College of Technology in 1970, where he taught for almost 13 years. He went on sabbatical in 1978 and spent a year in Rome with the Focolare Movement.

In 1983 he was appointed assistant principal at Kevin St College of Technology, where he was also chaplain and pastoral director of students. He also served in similar roles in the Dublin Institute of Technologly and the College of Marketing and Design.

In 1990 Ronan returned to Limerick, where he ministered in the Crescent Church for 15 years. He joined the Clongowes Jesuit community 15 years later, and in 2010 he moved to Cherryfield where he was a big part of the Cherryfield family who were all very fond of him. He slipped away peacefully at 8.15 pm on the feast day of St Mark. He was laid to rest in the Jesuit plot in Glasnevin cemetery.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.