We were saddened to hear of the death of Middlesbrough-born Mill Hill Missionary Father Jim Daley.
Father Jim passed away at 5.45am on Wednesday (October 21) in Herbert House, Freshfield, Liverpool. He was 93.
Born in Waterloo Road on July 13 1933, the son of steelworker James Daley and Clara Ann Cousins, Father Jim grew up with one sister in a close-knit family whose quiet strength and industriousness shaped his character from an early age.
Father Jim’s missionary formation began at Freshfield in 1948 and continued at Burn Hall.
He studied philosophy at Roosendaal in the Netherlands from 1954 to 1956 and theology at St Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, from 1956 to 1960. In 1959 he made his perpetual oath as a Mill Hill Missionary and on July 10 1960 he was ordained priest in the college chapel by Bishop Anthony Galvin.
Father Jim spent the greater part of his missionary life in Uganda, serving with dedication, resilience and a pastor’s heart. He became fluent in Lango, Teso and Luganda, a sign of his deep respect for the people he served.
In 1965 he was sent to the Gregorian University in Rome, completing an STL in Dogma in 1967. He later taught Dogma for two years at the incipient Missionary Institute London (MIL) in the late 1960s while also serving as vice-rector at St Joseph’s College.
In 1969 he returned to Uganda as spiritual director at Ggaba Seminary, a role he remembered with great affection. In 1971 he was appointed parish priest of Lumino in the Diocese of Tororo, where he served for 14 years. His leadership transformed the parish, turning its finances around and establishing it as a self-supporting community.
While in Tororo, Father Jim was elected local society superior in 1979 and again in 1982, also serving as chapter delegate. These were years of significant responsibility, which he carried with characteristic energy, humour and commitment.
After returning to Britain in 1993, Father Jim undertook APF mission appeals and did supply work in the Falklands.
He retired to Herbert House in 2005 and was deeply grateful for the care he received there.
In 2010 he returned to his hometown to celebrate the golden jubilee of his priestly ordination at the Sacred Heart Church.
Father Jim thanked all who had helped and supported him over the years, particularly the Knights of St Columba, of which his father had been a member. In thanks to them, he chose Faith of our Fathers as the final hymn.
On hearing of Father Jim's death, Monsignor Gerard Dasey, who preached at the golden jubilee Mass, said: “When Idi Amin kicked lots of people out of Uganda, including many Catholic priests, he didn’t dare throw Father Jim out because he was so popular with everyone. He had that gift of reaching out to people and never lost his Middlesbrough touch.”
Father Jim’s later years brought various health challenges, yet he remained ever jovial, talkative and full of stories from Uganda. He was known for his good humour, his jokes and his lively conversations.
Father Jim’s missionary journey reached across continents, embraced diverse cultures and spanned many decades of devoted service. He served as assistant priest, parish priest, formator, theologian, society superior, rector, administrator and pastoral companion.
His life was marked by dedication, humour, resilience and a deep love for the people he served.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday November 5 at 11am, followed by burial.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Tributes paid to Middlesbrough-born Father Jim
