The funeral will take place this week of former Parish Priest of Tenby, Reverend Father Owen McGreal MA - who will be greatly missed by the countless number of people whom he supported with his unpretentious and classically Irish manner, which seemed to make him a welcome face to hundreds, if not thousands, of Pembrokeshire families.

Father McGreal who passed away on November 28, was born in Westport, County Mayo, on July 3, 1935, and came from a family that was strong in faith and in public service. Priestly ministry would see him working at St Mary’s College, Colwyn Bay and ministering at Holywell in north Wales.

Later he would move south to the parishes of Llanelli, Haverfordwest and Tenby, in the Catholic Diocese of Menevia.

His focus was always on the people he served, and he always had a special interest in education. A teacher himself for a time, he contributed greatly to the life of local schools such as Mary Immaculate in Haverfordwest and St Teilo’s in Tenby.

Father McGreal undertook specialist studies in safeguarding, before most even knew of its vital importance in protecting the most vulnerable in society.

He will be greatly missed by the countless number of people whom he supported with his unpretentious and classically Irish manner, which seemed to make him a welcome face to hundreds, if not thousands, of Pembrokeshire families.

His remains will be received into the Catholic Church of Holyrood and St Teilo on Thursday, December 14 at 4.30 pm, with evening prayers at 7 pm.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated by the Bishop of Menevia, Archbishop Mark O’Toole on Friday, December 15 at 11 am, also at Holyrood and St Teilo’s Catholic Church and live streamed on the parish website.

His remains will be accompanied by his family back to his hometown in Co. Mayo, where he will be interred with his parents and late brother, Fr Michaél McGreal SJ.

Father McGreal will repose at McGing's Funeral Home, Westport F28 RX58 on Sunday December 17 from 5 pm with removal at 6.30 pm to St. Mary's Church, Westport.

Requiem Mass will be held at St. Mary's Church Westport on Monday, December 18 at 11 am with the funeral proceeding to Aughavale cemetery.

Father Owen's Funeral Mass can be viewed live on www.churchtv.ie/westport or on the Facebook page of St. Mary's Church Westport.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made payable to Paul Sartori Foundation, WaterAid or Aid To The Church In Need c/o Funeral Directors Messrs W & M J Rossiter & Sons Ltd The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby, SA70 8AB or via the following link: rossitersfunerals.co.uk/funeral-notices