Obituary of Rev David Melly

Father Dave Melly, parish priest of Our Lady, Help of Christians, Portico, died on the morning of Monday 23 January aged 76 and in the 48th year of his priesthood. Father Dave was a much loved parish priest and a popular figure throughout the archdiocese and in the world of Catholic education having served for forty years in the Christian Education Department of the archdiocese.

David John Melly, the son of John and Mary Melly (née O’Callaghan), was born in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, on 20 February 1946. He attended Rochestown College, Cork, before going on to study Classics at University College, Cork. He entered the novitiate of the Capuchins at Cork and became Brother Thaddeus. After his initial formation, he came to the then Christ’s College, Liverpool, for teacher training, and afterwards briefly held a teaching post at St George’s Primary School, Maghull. Very early in his teaching career, he applied to the archdiocese to continue his studies for the priesthood, and he completed his formation at St Joseph’s College, Upholland. He was ordained priest at Christ’s College, Liverpool, on 8 February 1975.

Following ordination, he served as assistant priest at Holy Name, Fazakerley, from April 1975 until October 1978. It was then decided that more use should be made of his educational background, and he