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This appreciation and tribute has been published here courtesy of The Dungannon Observer.

 

Regretted Death of Dessie Slater

Shock, disbelief, coupled with deep sorrow were the sentiments expressed, as news spread of the death of Mr Desmond Slater, who passed away suddenly at his home 10 Castleview Heights, Dungannon on Tuesday February 2nd.

In his 64th year, Dessie as he was fondly known, was the son of the late William (Billy) and Nellie Slater, Henry Street, Dungannon. One of a family of seven, he was predeceased by his brothers Eric (Burren, Co. Down), Sean (Coalisland) just a month ago, and a sister Mrs Betty Mallon (Edendork) and is survived by Mrs Nancy Kerr (Dungannon), Jim (England) and Patsy (Donaghmore).

He was educated at The Presentation Brothers Primary School, Dungannon. On leaving school he secured employment as an apprentice mechanic, at Moygashel Mills where he worked for many years. For the past 16 years Dessie was employed at St. Joseph¹s Grammar School, Donaghmore, as a Technician. Married to former Kathleen McCrory (Carland), Dungannon, Dessie was a true Gael. As a school boy he played Gaelic football for the school, and then with Dungannon Thomas Clarke GFC, he played at all levels.

When he finally hung up his boots he had become one of the most respected referees in Ulster. He was the current Vice Chairman, former club chairman, secretary, club referee and current Club Registrar of the club. His wife, Kathleen, a classroom assistant at St. Patrick¹s P.S., Dungannon, shared his passion for football and is also a club member and could be seen at the club on a regular basis making tea. 

A lifelong member of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association, he was the current President of the Dungannon Council, and past President of the Armagh Diocesan P.T.A.A. He was also deeply involved in the restoration committee of St. Patrick¹s Church, Dungannon. Dessie never did things by half measures, everything he was involved in he gave it 100 per cent.

His remains left his late residence on Thursday for 10am Requiem Mass in the Church of St. Patrick, Dungannon with burial afterwards at Carland Road Cemetery. Sincere sympathy is extended to his grieving spouse Kathleen, Jim and Patsy, brothers, Mrs Nancy Kerr (sister), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and wider family circle.

The cortege was flanked by members of Thomas Clarke GFC for what was one of the largest mid week funerals seen in Dungannon for many years. One hundred students and staff members of St Joseph's Grammar School attended the service. Pupils of St Joseph's Grammar School and St Patrick's PS, Dungannon, and Thomas Clarke GFC formed a guard of honour before and after the Mass. St Joseph's Grammar School choir, under the direction of Mrs Helen McRory, supplied the fitting music.

Requiem Mass was concelebrated by Dean Colum Curry, PP, Monsignor Liam McEntegart, Fr Peter Mc Anenly,CC and Fr Stanislas,CC.

In his Homily the Dean said;

"The unexpected death of Dessie Slater has left us shocked and numbed with disbelief. As news of his sudden death on Tuesday morning spread throughout the parish of Dungannon and far beyond, many people were stunned beyond words and felt personally vexed and heartbroken. It was as if we had lost a close personal friend, a member of our own family, somebody who had a special place in our lives. And that terrible sense of emptiness will be painfully felt for a long time by many different groups and organisations because Dessie was indeed someone special, a friend of all, a reliable man, a dependable worker, someone who was held in great respect by all who knew him.

"Our feelings of confusion and bewilderment give us some inkling of the terrible pain that has engulfed the heart of his beloved wife, Kathleen, his sister, Nancy, his brothers Jim and Patsy, and the wider family circle. For his family and many relations this is indeed a Calvary moment, a time of desolation and deep anguish. To all of you we convey our heartfelt sympathy.  This overflowing church is itself a powerful word of sympathy – an expression of affection - a demonstration of respect - a sign of love. To Kathleen and Desmond¹s family-circle our presence here in such numbers is like poetry without words. Because we have no real words worthy of how you feel; we have no words that can adequately convey our condolence and our sympathy for each one of you.

Dean Curry went on;

"And that is why the funeral liturgy is so important. We gather as a Christian community, a people of faith, and we cling to our belief in God, the one in whom we place our hope. Today¹s first reading encourages us to be sincere of heart, be steadfast, and do not be alarmed when disaster comes. It goes on to say, Trust Him and He will uphold you. We are very mindful that the man in whose memory we are gathered here today was himself a man of deep faith and strong religious conviction. God was part of the very texture of Dessie¹s life, a God who knew him and a God whom he knew intimately – a God who loved him in life and who now awaits him in death.

"There was something terribly poignant about Kathleen¹s recollection of Dessie saying his prayers on Monday night and then sprinkling the holy water as he had always done before retiring for the night. I think that image alone speaks volumes.
"The many people who attended Dessie¹s wake in recent days and the many people gathered here this morning represent the rich tapestry of his life¹s interests and the network of contacts established near at home and far away.

"Foremost among his many interests we think of his life long association with the GAA. Football was in his blood and he was passionate about everything the Association stands for. But every conversation about gaelic football, whether about underage training or county level exploits, always included a mention of his own beloved Clarkes, his pride and joy. He loved the Clarkes with all his heart and his generous involvement with the Dungannon Club down through the years will always stand as testimony of his loyalty and commitment. He was undoubtedly one of their finest ambassadors, one of their greatest stalwarts and somebody who will be sorely missed.

"He will be equally missed by the priests and people of this parish for Dessie Slater was the backbone of this Catholic community. No matter what was needed, no matter what had to be done, Dessie was the first point of contact. And most times you didn¹t have to ask - he knew what had to be done and he knew how to do; he was the man who could gather in the helpers, organise the stewards, arrange the rotas and attend to every detail. Dessie was meticulous about detail and a perfectionist in all things. On Monday night, a few short hours before he died, he put a note through my door. In his lovely distinctive handwriting it simply said, “Dear Dean, Haiti Collection for Trocaire - £18, 614.82. God bless, Dessie.”

"Dessie Slater was a man of integrity, utterly reliable, totally honest and always dependable. He loved this church; it was in many respects his second home and his sense of reverence and deep pride for this place was at no time more evident than in the days and weeks surrounding the dedication ceremony back in September. With total generosity, he put his heart and soul in to everything he did.  

"In recent weeks he had an array of photographs mounted in St Teresa¹s Hall and needless to say pride of place was given to photographs of the Pioneer Council members from days gone by. A lifelong pioneer, his dedication to the promotion of temperance within this parish and throughout this diocese was enormous.

"Dessie will be sadly missed by the staff and pupils of St Joseph¹s Grammar School in Donaghmore, where he was an integral part of their lives.

And we could go on making all kinds of connections, for he was so involved with so much, sometimes in a public capacity but more often in an unassuming role, but always for the good of others and for the glory of God.

To borrow a phrase from the gospel, he was the salt of the earth; he was a light in the world.

Desmond died on 2nd February, Candlemas morning. I¹m told that the Hindu people refer to death as the quenching of a candle because the dawn has come. Dessie¹s death was like that - the silent quenching of the flame, and he now knows better than we do, why he doesn¹t require the candle any more.

I like to think that in that moment, Christ, the light of the world, enfolded Desmond in the perpetual light of everlasting peace and joy. Away back in the early Church, Christian people compared the experience of death to that of birth ­ death was like being born in to a new life. They also held that those who have gone before us act as the midwives easing a person, at the moment of death, from this world in to the new world beyond.

I like to think that in Desmond¹s case that transition was made all the easier with the help of his deceased parents, his late brothers Sean and Eric, his sister Betty and all the others who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. May they come to meet him and lead him into the fullness of God’s new life. May he rest in peace"

Speaking after the funeral, Fr Gerald McAleer, PP Donaghmore and Chairman of the Board of Governors of St Joseph's Grammar School, paid tribute to Dessie, whom he knew very well. "People like Dessie don't come along very often. He was a person who gave 110% to every endeavour he was involved with, be it the GAA, the Parish, the Pioneers, or his work at the school. The entire community will be at a loss now that he has gone to his eternal reward.

Tribute from St Joseph's Grammar School

The entire St Joseph¹s Grammar school community was shocked and saddened at the untimely death of a long serving colleague and friend, Desmond Slater.  Dessie had worked in the school for 16 years in the Technology and Design Department.

He was very well respected and loved by all the people he worked with. He was a very kind man and he helped a lot of young people.

His enthusiasm for St Joseph¹s was obvious to all who met him. He was a real character and a credit to the school. He worked quietly and with purpose. His strong Catholic faith was reflected in his consideration and attention afforded to everyone. Dessie took part in all the school¹s religious and extracurricular activities. He drove and maintained the ‘Green Goddess’ minibus that ferried our past and present students all over Ireland. Dessie had a great sense of humour that he used to good effect with students and staff. 

He was a source of help and support to the Daughters of The Cross who set up the school and who moved to Dublin two years ago.

In the coming months St Joseph¹s Grammar School will be holding a celebration of Desmond Slater¹s life and we are planning how to recognise and remember his great contributions to our school.

We will miss him and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

John Gill, Chairman of Dungannon Clarkes GFC said;

The news of Dessie¹s death cast a shadow over Dungannon and particularly over those of us who knew and worked with him in Gaelic circles.

Dungannon Thomas Clarke G.F. C. has lost a true friend who dedicated his life to all aspects of Gaelic culture and whose pride in our club and O¹Neill Park knew no bounds. He served as Chair, vice chair, secretary and more recently Vice President and Registrar. Never a man to seek the limelight Dessie worked tirelessly over the years for our club and contributed in no small way to the excellent facilities available at O¹Neill Park In his role as our club referee Dessie exemplified all that is good, just and fair on the field of play. He didn’t just referee he explained why he made a decision but brooked no nonsense when the occasion arose. His proudest moment was when he refereed three consecutive county finals in the late eighties. He was well known and highly regarded at inter county level and was a regular guest referee at The Castlewellan seven-a-side competitions.

In addition to being a highly respected and loyal Clarke¹s man Dessie was a dedicated Community and Parish man who gave it all when required. Those of us from Clann Uí Chléirigh who worked with him at Church and Parish functions will always remember the enthusiasm and perfection which he brought to each job he did.

We are all the poorer for his passing and our sincere sympathies go to his wife Kathleen and the extended Slater family.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis