ARCO regrets to inform its members of the death of Father Desmond (Des) Campion, Chaplain to the Forces at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, County Cork. On November 16th, 2024, peacefully, in the presence of his friends and family and in the wonderful care of the Bon Secours Hospital. Beloved son of the late May and James, much loved brother of Declan, Bernard, Miriam and the late Raymond. Deeply regretted by his loving family, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, (including Lieutenant-Colonel David Campion, 58 Cadet Class) his Religious Confreres, Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop Emeritus John Buckley, clergy of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, his Naval and Defence Forces family, relatives and a wide circle of friends.
Fair winds and following seas
Des Campion was born on 15th March 1944 in Drimnagh on Dublin’s southside. Having completed his secondary education at the Salesian School in Ballinakill, County Laois, he became a novice at the Salesian Novitiate in Warrenstown, County Meath. Des studied philosophy in Beckford, England, and then went to India where he completed his studies and spent five years teaching and running a technical school. He studied theology in Maynooth and on 7th December 1973, was ordained a priest in his own parish of Drimnagh. Des then went to Ballinakill as a teacher and assistant. There followed appointments in Pallaskenry and at the Provincial House at Crumlin. During this time Des went to Germany to serve as a temporary chaplain to the American troops serving with NATO. Following his return he held appointments in Finglas, County Dublin, and in the Salesian parish in Castletroy, County Limerick.
Having been appointed a Chaplain to the Forces in Óglaigh na hÉireann at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, Des travelled a year later as chaplain to 60 Irish Battalion UNIFIL Lebanon in November 1986. Upon his return he was posted to The Apprentice School in Naas for six months followed by another six months at Finner Camp, County Donegal with 28 Infantry Battalion. Des was then appointed to the Naval Service and Spike Island Prison in 1988, where he continued to minister up to his passing. During this appointment he served on four further tours of duty to Lebanon (66, 72, 82, and 88 Battalions) and on five tours with KFOR in Kosovo (7 Transport Group, 28, 29, 31, and 33 Infantry Groups).
While serving with the Naval Service, Des sailed as part of the ship’s complement to Plymouth, Jersey Island, Kiel, Boston, Newport, New York, and finally to Hong Kong. Des celebrated, with the Naval Service, the 50th anniversary of his ordination in December last year and his 80th birthday in March of this year.
His was a busy and fulfilled life, dedicated to those he served.
Cork Arrangements: Father Des will lie in rest in the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, Naval Base, Haulbowline on Tuesday (November 19th) from 3.00pm until Celebration of Vespers at 7.00pm. Concelebrated Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Wednesday, November 20th (https://mycondolences.ie/).
Dublin Arrangements: Resting at the Brian McElroy Funeral Home, Crumlin Village on Thursday (November 21st) from 5pm to 7pm. Concelebrated Requiem Mass at 11.30am on Friday (November 22nd) in the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Mourne Road, Drimnagh (https://mcn.live/Camera/our-lady-of-good-counsel) followed by burial in Palmerstown Cemetery.
Members may wish to leave personal messages in the ‘Condolences’ section of Father Des’s death notice on rip.ie – https://rip.ie/death-notice/fr-desmond-des-campion-sdb-cfc-dublin-drimnagh-575123
