The family of Fr. Sean McGrath who passed away peacefully on Monday, March 28 will remember a "very intelligent, passionate man who cared little about material things".

A man who loved cycling and was ahead of his time, cycling 50-60 miles a day visiting friends when home from the missions or Brazil.

He would also take his nieces and nephews out cycling any summer he was home.

The 76 year old who was one of seven brothers on the Ederney, St. Joseph's team that won the Fermanagh County Championship in 1968 is often recognised as the best footballer to come out of the village.

As well as Ederney, Fr. Sean picked up two Sigerson Cup medals with UCC in 1965 and 1966 and also represented Ulster in the Railway Cup competition as well being a regular on the Fermanagh Senior Football team.

A short biography of his life told he was a very gifted sportsman in his youth. He excelled at Gaelic football and was noted for his athleticism, skill, strength and determination.

"He was blessed with very big hands which enabled him to catch a Gaelic football with one hand. It was said that once he got the ball into his hand it was impossible to dispossess him because of his low centre of gravity and innate strength.

"He was also a very faithful member of the Ederney GAA team and nothing gave him greater pleasure than playing alongside his seven brothers in the local colours."

His family said he would drive from Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow to play matches for Ederney and even thumbed lifts at a time when cars were not as plentiful on the roads.

After receiving his early education in Moneyvriece Primary School and St. Michael's College, Fr. Sean joined the St. Patrick's Missionary Society in 1963.

He was ordained in St. Joseph's Church, Ederney in 1971 alongside his cousin, Fr. Joe McVeigh.

After ordination Fr. Sean was appointed to St Patrick’s College, Buchlyvie, Scotland, where he taught for two years. In 1973 he was appointed to Grenada, a new mission opened by the Society in 1970. It would be his’s home for the next six years.

In 1980 Fr. Sean was appointed to Brazil where he would remain for the following 38 years.

"Sean was a great pastoral priest who dedicated himself totally to the people whom he served. He had a special interest in the poor and in those left behind by society.

"In every parish where he worked he helped to establish crèches for the poorer children. Through the generous support he received from his family he was able to erect parish centres in all the communities he served.

"These buildings served as churches and also centres for social projects. One of his favourite ministries was the Pastoral da Criança – ministry to children. He was able to identify very capable and dedicated leaders in the communities who worked closely with him in delivering these social projects.

"Sean was a very charismatic person who was able to inspire others to give of the best of themselves."

The last years of Fr. Sean's life were not easy as his health began to deteriorate during his final tour of Sao Paulo. He returned to Ireland in the summer of 2018 and settled in Kiltegan.

There he got great care and support from the wonderful staff assigned to accompany him. He continued to show an interest in music and song and was happy to join in the singing of some of his favourite ballads whenever the occasion arose. He celebrated his 76th birthday on March 27 and spent some time on Zoom calls with his family.

He died peacefully in the early hours of Monday morning, of March 28.

Fr. Sean was predeceased by his sister Sr Bernadette (Our Lady of the Missions), his brother Colm and his sister-in-law Mena. He is survived by his sisters Geraldine and Anne (Hynes), his brothers Anthony, Brendan, Leonard, Ciaran, Tom and Maurice, his sisters-in-law Angela, Anne, Mary, Patricia, Vicki and Mary, his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, his relatives and friends and his Society family.

His funeral will take place on Saturday, April 2 at 12 noon followed by Interment in Lettercran Cemetery, Pettigo Co. Donegal.

The family would welcome those wishing to pay their respects whilst maintaining safe social distancing to do so as the funeral cortege makes its journey from McKerveys Funeral Home on Friday evening at 5.30pm arriving at St. Joseph's Church, Ederney for 6pm prayers and Fr. Sean to repose overnight.