Mathew Crowley of Derreen House, Middle Road East, Ballyclamasy, Summerfield, Youghal, County Cork, Ireland, passed away peacefully, quietly, dignified and respectfully at the age of 108 years and 3 months on Friday August 26th at 11 am with his eldest son, Dr. Leo M. Crowley MD in attendance. On the day before, Thursday August 25th he received the Holy Sacrament of the Sick by the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Jim Killeen P.P., V.F. at the Midleton Community Hospital. According to official records, at the time of his death he was designated as being the oldest living resident, and longest living male citizen in Ireland.
His transition from this Earthly realm was peaceful and dignified. Up to the moment of his earthly demise he was fairly well, pleasant, communicative and resting quietly in his morning chair, then just closed his eyes and quietly entered the unending and everlasting sleep of the just and the righteous. He has now left the land of the dying and has made his triumphant entry into the World of the Living. In his own way, and in his own personal manner, he gently passed through the great “Cloud of Unknowing,” that separates the visible World from the invisible World. Mathew has transcended the great veil of Heaven, and dwells with his Heavenly Father in John O'Donoghue's celestial and eternal spring of infinitesimal sweetness. Your sincere and immediate prayers are requested for the current transition of his departing soul to the Heavenly realms.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Matilda Crowley RN, and a daughter, Colleen Delaney. He is survived by his 3 eldest children, a daughter, Patricia Wayman of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England; a son, Dr. Leo M. Crowley MD, Consultant Physician, Dallas, Texas, USA; and a son, Barrie Crowley of Gloucester, England. He leaves behind 4 grandchildren, and 4 great grand-children.
On Saturday noon, August 27th, Canon William Bermingham, Diocese of Cloyne, County Cork officiated at a private funeral service at Egan Funeral Chapel, and presided over interment prayers as Ireland's oldest resident and longest living citizen was laid to rest alongside his wife Matilda Crowley (nee Connors). A future memorial service for his family and dear friends is pending further notification.
“So live, that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan which moves to that mysterious realm where each shall take his or her chamber into the silent halls of Death. Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night, scourged to his dungeon; but, sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."
William Cullen Bryant “Thanatopsis.”
