Port Pirie, Woomera, Boolaroo Centre, Barmera, Crystal Brook, SA

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Fr Frank Cresp, Good and Faithful Servants: Recalling the Spirit of the Deceased Priests of the Diocese of Port Augusta and Port Pirie 1888-2008, 2008:
Canny, Nicholas William

Born: 23/9/1928 in Orroroo Hospital (his parents resided at Carrieton). Top apprentice at Whyalla - fitter and turner.
Ordained: 30/7/1955 at Port Pirie. Mass of Thanksgiving at Carrieton on 31st July.
Worked in Port Pirie, 9th November, 1955; Whyalla 1962; Seminary Appeal throughout the Diocese 1963-64; Pekina 1966; Woomera 1967; Booleroo Centre 1971; Barmera 1993; Crystal Brook 1996. Part time Army Chaplain. Diocesan Chaplain to the Catholic Womens' League from 1976-88.
An athlete - excelled at most sports. Had a mind of his own but most times it was a good one.
Died: 8/11/1997. Buried at Crystal Brook.

Some Memories
by Father Brian Mathews

Nick Canny
Dad tells us stories of Nick's football days and how the locals at Crystal Brook used to give the opposition hell when they sent Nick tumbling to the ground with a hip and shoulder, and how he would be up as quick as a flash and back into the play for some more.
I remember Nick telling me a story giving drifters money. One day a drifter came up to Nick and asked him for some money. Nick was good enough to lend the guy some money and told him he needed to repay it when he could. The fellow was grateful for the money and promised to repay him, as they all do. Anyway a few months later the same fellow comes up to Nick again and asks for some money. He doesn't seem to remember Nick but Nick remembers him and says to him, "I would be happy to lend you some money, but unfortunately I don't have any to lend as the last person has not paid me back yet!"

Memories: Father Nicholas Canny
by his sister Mary Canny RSJ

Nicholas Canny, the youngest child of Mary Ellen and William Francis, was born on 23d September, 1928, at the Orroroo Hospital. As family life nurtured Faith and good standards, Nicholas was blest with a warm, cheerful and fun-loving nature, a quality I believe, which seemed to accompany him throughout life.

An energetic student, he completed his Primary Education at the Carrieton Public School. After winning an "Exhibition" to enter Secondary Education, Nicholas attended Rostrevor College, after which he joined brother Bryan in Whyalla. There he enrolled in an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner. Whyalla, in those days (the forties), was flourishing with large numbers of young people eager to learn a trade. Apprentices worked hard, pay was meagre, but good recreational times were assured. St Theresa's was a focus and many good and enduring friendships developed. In that atmosphere Nick's young adult life was spent. It was here in Whyalla that it was confirmed for Nick that God was calling him in a different direction - to be a priest. He began his Seminary life at St Francis Xaviers, Adelaide, and completed his priestly studies at St Patrick's College, Manly.

After Ordination at St Mark's Cathedral. Port Pirie, in 1955, Fr Nick was appointed to Port Pirie as assistant priest. During those first seven years he zealously and joyfully engaged in the priestly duties in Port Pirie and Crystal Brook and other relieving appointments. Then followed transference to Whyalla from 1962 to 1966. His next appointment was to Woomera as Parish Priest, and at the conclusion of this period he commenced a twenty-three year term as Parish Priest of Booleroo Centre - an extensive parish which included Pekina, Appila, Orroroo, Wirrabara and Murraytown.

After many happy years in that place of ministry, Fr Nick's ill health necessitated less travelling so he spent the next three years as parish priest at Barmera. After that time he returned to Crystal Brook, the scene of his earliest appointment. It was during this time, while holidaying with a priest friend in Queensland that he suffered his final illness and died in the Southport Hospital. Fr Frank Gilbert and Fr Nick's brother and sister, Bryan and Mary, were with him throughout that week and had the privilege of sharing those days and handing him back to his Creator.

Fr Nick was always deeply aware of the privilege that was his through his priesthood, in being able to offer Mass, to share in the Sacramental life of the Church, to be for the spiritual and temporal care for those entrusted to him in the Diocese of Port Pirie, this very special place of ministry. Fr Nick had a very high regard for his parishioners and it would seem that the esteem was mutual.

A keen sportsman himself, he maintained a lively interest in the games, especially football, cricket, horseracing and bowls. Through these encounters he made many contacts. He possessed of a great sense of humour, he related well and made many friends. At the same time, Fr Nick was ever aware of his own humanity and conscious of his share in the limitations of human nature.

In the parishes where Fr Nick spent his time he shared personally in the lives of his people. He shared with them in their joys and sorrows. He is remembered as a good friend, a sincere listener, a wise counsellor, compassionate and understanding. A respecter of confidences.

A man of deep faith and trust in God's goodness, he held loyally to the teaching of the Church and strongly upheld attitudes which he held dear. Gratitude to God was his mantra, often reflecting, "We can never thank God enough".

I give thanks to God for the blessing this brother has been and I pray that he now enjoys the company of our loving and compassionate God in Heaven.

(Reproduced with the approval of Sister Mary Cresp RSM)