William Duddy

William Duddy           1913- 1986                  C D 1987 p 395

1913 Born Carluke Lanarkshire 9 January Our Lady’s High School Motherwell 1926 – 1931 St. Mary’s College Blairs 1931 – 1938 Scots College Rome: Gregorian University 1937 18 December ordained priest for Glasgow / Motherwell by Luigi Traglia in the Lateran Basilica 1938 – 1939 Glasgow: St Teresa of Lisieux Posilpark 1939 – 1940 Glasgow: St Bridget’s Baillieston 1940 – 1950 Aberdeen:  St Mary’s College Blairs 1950 – 1955 Motherwell: St Bernadette’s 1955 – 1958 Harthill: St Catherine of Siena 1958 – 1961 Bargeddie: St Kevin’s 1961 – 1962 Motherwell:St Luke’s 1962 – 1977 Coatbridge: St Patrick’s 1977 – 1985 Airdrie: St Margaret’s 1985 Retired to St Monica’s Coatbridge 1986 Coatbridge: Died 8 October aged 73

Very Reverend William Canon Duddy-8th October, 1986 CD 1987 p 395

The facts of Canon Duddy’s life are easily told.  He was born in Carluke on 9th January, 1913 and was educated at the local Catholic primary School—St. Athanasius—at Our Lady’s High School, Motherwell and St. Mary’s College, Blairs. From Blairs he proceeded to the Scots College, Rome, where he was ordained in 1937.  On returning to Scotland, because it was the golden age when there was a plentiful supply of priests, he became almost an itinerant curate for a few years, supplying in various parishes for short periods although his stay in Baillieston, made him many friends and left a lasting impact on many of the parishioners. Eventually, he was appointed to the staff of St. Mary’s College. Blairs, where he was to remain most happily for 14 years and to prove himself a successful and popular teacher. He wept when he heard of Blairs closure. On his return to the Diocese of Motherwell, he became assistant priest to the memorable Canon Peter Sexton in St. Bernadette’s, Motherwell, before being appointed as Parish Priest of St. Catherine’s, Harthill and Salsburgh, then to St Kevin’s, Bargeddie, St. Luke’s, Motherwell, St. Patrick’s, Coatbridge, and finally to St. Margaret’s, Airdrie. He had hoped to remain there long enough to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Parish in 1986 and his own Golden Jubilee in the priesthood in 1987, but failing health and a sensitive awareness of his inability to meet the full needs of the people, prompted him to resign in October 1985. He retired to St. Monica’s, Coatbridge, to live with his friend Father Thomas Gibbons, enjoying retirement there for only a year, dying in St. Monica’s on 8th October 1986. These bare facts are like a railway timetable—of interest only to the person making the journey or to some of those the traveller meets on the way and convey nothing of the personality of Canon Duddy or the qualities he exhibited in life to make him such a noted figure. They convey nothing of his intelligence. He had a brilliant scholastic career and still had some of the certificates to prove how well he had distinguished himself in Rome. He wore his intelligence very lightly, however, behind a cloak of humility and it was only when one was well into a discussion with him that one realised the depth of his intellect,the keenness of his understanding and how ably he could marshal his thoughts and formidably present them. Moreover, unlike some intellectuals, he had the ability to communicate his knowledge and learning especially to children. Indeed, if he was proud about any of his gifts, it was this quality to explain extraordinary things in an ordinary fashion and always accompanied by a cheerful grin. For the Canon was a happy man. Happy with himself, his friends, his family, his people. He rarely grumbled or expressed strong dissatisfaction even latterly, when his health was failing. His native good humour and bounciness still survived. He was especially happy with his priesthood. It is difficult to imagine him as anything else and it is certain that the thought of any other career or profession never crossed his mind. He understood the radical nature of his priesthood! He knew that some people considered its duties onerous and burdensome, but to him these burdens were made light by his strong faith and his deep loyalty to his calling. Illuminating all his life and work as a priest and man was his deep love and devotion to Our Lady. This showed itself in his prayers, his devotions, his conversation and his feeling for Lourdes. He was Motherwell Diocesan Pilgrimage Director for many years and this summer, when not very able, still made his annual pilgrimage to the Grotto. He was delighted to be made a Canon at Lourdes and considered it the highest honour. In his last year at St. Monica’s, he withdrew to a certain extent from the world. Priests do not seem to train themselves well for retirement. Within the Chapel House however, he was certainly not withdrawn and contributed greatly to its harmony and happiness. His two windows on to the world were his Television and Radio—through which he followed avidly the fortunes of his favourite team which he had supported so well all his life. Some loyalties run very deep! A huge crowd of priests and people assembled for his Funeral Mass in St. Monica’s on 10th October. They came to pay their respects and tributes to a charming, friendly person who had walked through the world doing good, making friends and no enemies. R.I.P.