Warm tributes have been paid to Father Jim O’Brien, who died peacefully in Hull’s Royal Infirmary on Thursday May 1.
Father Jim was born on May 19 1950 in Clydebank, Glasgow, and studied for the priesthood with the Columban Fathers in Dalgin Park, Ireland, from 1971 to 1975.
He then took a break and returned to complete his studies at Ushaw College, Durham, from 1987 to 1989 and was ordained to the priesthood at Our Holy Redeemer Parish, Clydebank, on June 21 1989.
He arrived in the diocese soon afterwards for his first appointment as assistant priest at Sacred Heart Church, Middlesbrough.
In 1990, he was asked by Bishop John to take on further studies in Rome and at Sheffield University.
On his return in 1992, he served as Professor of Scripture at Ushaw College, Durham until 1996, when he was appointed parish priest of St Mary & St Joseph’s, Pocklington, where he served for four years. He was then chaplain for Hull University from 2000 until 2017.
In 2010, alongside his chaplaincy work at the university, he was also appointed parish priest of St Vincent de Paul, Hull, where he served until his retirement in 2024.
Father Jim had suffered health issues in recent years but embraced that cross in a gentle and humble way.
Phillipa Donnelly, headteacher at St Vincent’s VA Academy in Hull, said: “Our beloved Father Jim made a profound and lasting contribution to our St Vincent’s school community.
“He supported children, families and staff with unwavering care and compassion, always offering a listening ear and words of comfort.
“His celebration of Mass and feast days brought faith to life for us all and his engaging RE lessons inspired a deep sense of spiritual understanding among our pupils. His presence was a source of strength and peace, nurturing the wellbeing of both staff and pupils.
“He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered for the love and dedication he shared with our school family.”
Gabrielle Awre first got to know Father Jim when he was chaplain to Hull University and he later asked her to join him as a lay assistant chaplain.
Paying tribute, she said: “Intelligent, wise and funny, you were all that a priest should be. Very human and understanding.
“A great linguist, theology lecturer at the university and educator before following your vocation. You had the art of saying a reverent Mass while keeping it concise. You were a great chaplain and a good friend.”
Mark Dawson, who knew Father Jim from his time at St Vincent’s, said: “Father Jim was a wonderful man and an amazingly positive person who was always bringing a smile to everyone’s face. I feel blessed to have met him.”
Bishop Terry celebrated Father Jim’s Requiem Mass at St Vincent’s on Friday May 23. He was cremated privately in Hull and his ashes taken by his family to Scotland, to be buried in the family grave.
Please pray for the repose of Father Jim’s soul and for his sister, friends and his family at this time.
A towering intellect and a loyal friend
Soon after he arrived at St Vincent’s, it became obvious Fr Jim had many special and endearing qualities – a fierce intellect; a superb knowledge of the Old and New Testament; the ability to speak languages including Latin, Greek, Hebrew and Irish; a genuine love for all his parishioners; a delicious sense of humour and, above all, unfailing modesty.
He loved and knew his classical music too. We drank many a cup of coffee while listening to the works of Mahler and Schubert.
Father Jim was not blessed with good health yet despite several periods of severe illness – how on earth he survived Covid, we’ll never know – he would return to his parish duties smiling, unfailingly positive and ready to go. Rarely did we ever hear him complain.
Father Jim was also a great friend and supporter of St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School and would visit the children and staff frequently.
He was proud of both church and school and was always delighted to spend time with the children in “their church”, as he used to say.
All who knew Father Jim have their own special and happy memories. To me, he was a towering intellect, a dear and loyal friend and almost like a big brother. I shall miss him. We shall all miss him.
Rest in peace, Father Jim. You are finally free from pain and suffering.
John Murray
