Fr Denis Moroney died in the Townsville General Hospital, on Wednesday 3 April 2013, aged 71.
After sustaining a fall last Tuesday 28 March 2013, Fr. Denis Moroney passed away yesterday in the Townsville Hospital.
Bishop of Townsville, Most Rev. Michael Putney DD released this statement to the priests and community “The Townsville Diocese is grieving the loss of a much loved priest, Fr Denis Moroney, who died on Wednesday, 3 April 2013.”
“He will be especially remembered by the thousands of people he attended in The Townsville Hospital where he worked as Catholic chaplain for twenty years. He was recently given an award by the hospital for his service. He loved his work and saw himself as having a special connection there as his father was the hospital pharmacist when Denis was young” Bishop Michael said.
Fr Denis was born in Townsville on the 6th of October 1941. He was educated at the Sisters of Mercy Primary School on the Strand before attending Out Lady’s Mount in Currajong. He attended the Pius XII Provincial Seminary, Banyo in Brisbane and was ordained at the Sacred Heart Cathedral by Most Rev Hugh Ryan on the 29th of June 1966.
His first position was as Assistant Priest in Currajong, where after 19 years he retired on the 6th of October 2011. During this time he served at a number of parishes including Railway Estate, Hyde Park and the Cathedral parish. He was later known for his role as Hospital Chaplain, which he began in 1992.
Bishop Michael said “He also worked in many parishes, most recently in Currajong parish, and many of these people I am sure will gather for his funeral on Saturday morning.”
Fr Denis’s funeral was held at St Joseph’s Catholic Church on the Strand on Saturday 6 April 2013 commencing at 10am.