Fr John Daley IC (RIP)

Co-founder of the Watermead Apostolate

died on Sunday 10th March 2024

He had been suffering from myeloma cancer for the past 3 years, although had remained the priest serving St Joseph's parish up until a month before he died and his involvement with our Watermead Apostolate until the end of life.

Fr John was born in Splott in Cardiff, Wales, and joined the Institute of Charity (nick-named the "Rosminians" after their founder, Antonio Rosmini), serving in parishes, schools and missions in the UK, Canada, New Zealand.

He was received into St Joseph's Church on Wednesday 10th April and his Requiem Mass took place on Thursday 11th April.  Both services were livestreamed and are available to watch on demand (see below).

"Requiescat in Pace"

Fr John's final celebration of Mass

Fr John celebrated his final public mass in the parish of St Joseph's, Leicester, on Sunday 29th October 2023. The following day he had a severe reaction to a new chemotherapy drug he had been given to enable his taking a group of pilgrims to Rome in November. Following the necessary hospital admission he was unable to travel to Rome and the affects of this reaction also prevented him from again taking his place at the altar. He spent his final 4 months in his prayer room where the myeloma gradually spread through his body. Despite the obvious disablement of the disease he remained aware and involved in the life of the people of the parish he had served for 24 years. On Friday 2nd February 2024 he was visited by his bishop and retired as parish priest.  He died peacefully 5 weeks later at 1.13 pm on Sunday 10th March 2024.