The big-hearted bus conductor who became longest serving Deacon

Thursday 31 March 2022

Iain MacFirbhisigh may have had a difficult start to life, but never lost his determination to help and bring joy to the community - firstly as a singing bus conductor, then as a tourism champion, and latterly as Jersey's longest serving Deacon.

After serving Jersey's Catholic community for around 30 years, he passed away on Friday 25 March, the feast of the Anunciation, aged 80.

His son, Tadgh, shared the story of the life of a "big man with a big heart and tireless energy for many causes"...

"Born in Dublin in 1941, Iain was the oldest of four brothers and an older sister. He was educated by the Jesuits at Gonzaga College in Ranelagh, Dublin and also spent two years in Ring College learning to speak fluent Irish.

His father died in 1954 at the age 49 when Iain was just 13. Struck down by Polio at the age of 17 he was partially paralysed for the rest of his life, but determined as ever he arrived in Jersey in April 1961.

Iain initially worked as a bus conductor on Route 1, Snow Hill to Gorey and is still remembered for having “the singing bus" with upper deck and downstairs singing in rounds.

He worked at the Devil’s Hole before taking a role at National Provincial Executive and Trustee Bank in 1962.

He met his future wife Cheryl on Christmas Day. They were married in 1966 at St. Mary's and St. Peter's Church in Vauxhall Street and celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary on 19 March. Iain and Cheryl have two sons, Niall and Tadhg.

Most of his working life was spent in the Tourism Industry as a Tour Operator.

Formerly a member, he has served in executive positions with many Island organisations, including The Jersey Irish Society, the Skål Club of Jersey, the Jersey Amateur Dramatic Club, the Channel Islands Tour Operators Group, the Jersey Battle of Flowers Association and the Parish of St Helier Roads Committee.

Following a period of study and formation at St John’s Seminary, in 1993 Iain was ordained as the first Permanent Deacon in Jersey. He was a member the Hospital Chaplaincy Team, with particular responsibility for Overdale, the Apostleship of the Sea, the Knights of St Columba, the SVP and a past President of the Jersey Circle of the Catenian Association.

Formerly a Governor of FCJ Convent School, he has also been a member of the Board of Governors of De la Salle College.

From 1998 until 2003, he was the first Co-ordinator of St. Helier’s Centre Ville Project, involved with a range of projects from the Hoppa Experiment, the Christmas Lights, La Fête dé Noué, with the paving of the Royal Square being perhaps the most memorable.

More recently, he was invited to become a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre for his work of support for Christians in the Holy Land an appointment conferred by the Holy See.

From a bygone era, he was a big man with a big heart and tireless energy for many causes, he will be sorely missed by his many, many friends and family."

Pictured top: Deacon Iain MacFirbhisigh passed away on Friday 25 March, the feast of the Anunciation, aged 80. (Stuart McAlister)