Rev Clarrie Leahy
Title:
Rev
First Name:
Clarence
Middle Names:
Preferred Name:
Clarrie
Surname:
Leahy
Order:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Toowoomba QLD
Country of Birth:
Australia
Date of Ordination:
Place of Ordination:
St Patrick's Cathedral, Toowoomba QLD
Country of Ordination:
Australia
Ordination Diocese:
Toowoomba
Seminary:
St Columba's College, Springwood, Australia
St Patrick's College, Manly, Australia
Date of Death:
Place of Death:
QLD
Country of Death:
Australia
Date of Burial:
Place of Burial:
Toowoomba QLD
Country of Burial:
Australia
Find A Grave URL:
Appointments Table
Diocese | Place | Role | Start Day | Start Month | Start Year | End Day | End Month | End Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toowoomba | Goondiwindi | 1947 | Toowoomba Prayer Calendar | ||||||
| Toowoomba | Warwick | 1950 | Toowoomba Prayer Calendar | ||||||
| Toowoomba | Quilpie | 1954 | Toowoomba Prayer Calendar | ||||||
| Toowoomba | Miles | 1960 | Toowoomba Prayer Calendar | ||||||
| Toowoomba | Chinchilla | 1979 | May | 1988 | Toowoomba Prayer Calendar |
Biographical Notes
Prayer Calendar: Deceased Priests who have ministered the Catholic Faith throughout Toowoomba and districts, 1864–2025, Compiled by Annie Carrett, Diocesan Archivist, 2001, Updated by Gabrielle Saide, Diocesan Archivist, 2023:
Rev Clarence (Clarrie) Leahy, died 28 Sep 1996
Clarence Leahy, or Corrie to his family, was born on 3rd February, 1923, in Toowoomba, the youngest of four children to Timothy and Anne Leahy. He grew up at Jackson, which was then part of the Roma Parish, and attended the State school there for his early education. His Early Catholic education came from his parents, particularly his mother. The late Father Tom McCormack was a strong influence on Fr Clarrie who, from an early age, had only one goal in life; to be a priest. Downlands College completed his secondary education, followed by several years preparing for the priesthood at St Columba's, Springwood, and St Patrick's, Manly. His ordination by Bishop Roper took place in St Patrick's Cathedral on 25th July, 1946. Fr Clarrie's first appointment was to Goondiwindi in 1947, where he was Curate to his mentor Fr McCormack. Further appointments followed: Warwick (1950); Quilpie (1954); Miles (1960) and Chinchilla (1979). In May 1988 he retired to Dalby. Fr Clarrie loved celebrations, particularly family celebrations. In July, 1996, the Priests of the Diocese celebrated with him his 50 years of priesthood. His family had planned their own commemoration; but the week before, he was tragically killed, in a car accident, on his way home to Dalby from Jandowae. As a pastor he is remembered for his down-to-earth attitude and his practical outlook on life and the church. While he held strong opinions, he respected other people's points-of-view. To his fellow priests, Fr Clarrie will be remembered as a man of faith, who nourished that faith by prayer and his love of the Mass. He loved his vocation as a priest and his brother priests were very dear to him. He was generous, available, a wise man, who was always able to stay calm in time of stress and difficulty. All who knew him will remember his wonderful hospitality - his door was always unlocked. A Mass, to celebrate his life, was held in St Patrick's Cathedral on 2nd October 1996, followed by his interment at the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance.
(Ref. Archives and Clerical CV)
Reproduced by permission of Bishop Ken Howell.