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While Saturday's Funeral Mass for Michael Warde may have been the very last Assembly call for the former principal of St Paul's High School, Bessbrook, the legacy he has left instilled in former pupils from the south Armagh area will resonate for many, many generations to come.
Mr Warde, a Mayo native born in 1937, died 12 May 2026 at his home in Newry, aged 89 years. On Saturday his remains were flanked by a Guard of Honour from St Paul's High School and the Knights of Saint Columbanus, as they entered Newry Cathedral for the Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Anthony Moffett.
In his homily Fr Moffett said "Michael's life was long and full of life, filled with many experiences, joys, and challenges. It came with a lot of change over the years. He witnessed great changes in the world, in society and in the life of the church itself. Yet through all this, Michael remained a man of faith."
One of the most progressive school principals to have walked school corridors locally, Mr Warde started his career at St Colman's College in 1959 and worked there for 7 years before, in 1966 at 30 being put in charge of a new groundbreaking form of education at the time - a comprehensive school!
St Paul's Secondary School built at Carrickbracken, Bessbrook was forever to change the education dynamic of south Armagh and with the introduction of A Levels in 1978 there was a clear path for many students to attend University.
Only for former Newry and Mourne Councillor Frank Feely, a fellow Mayo man and close friend, Mr Warde would most likely not have ended up here.
Speaking at the Funeral Mr Warde's Daughter in Law Kathleen explained "In 1959 his close friend Frank Feeley told him about a vacancy at St Coleman's College. He arrived in Newry on 4th September 1959 and stayed in Cole's in Barrack Street, Newry. Harry Cole was a builder. He collected clocks and wound each as they needed it, daily, weekly, or monthly. Mrs. Cole was a gracious lady and fed them well. He threw himself into teaching English, Maths, Latin, Irish, Geography, and whatever else they couldn't find a teacher for. He spent seven happy years there before becoming principal in St. Paul's High School."
She continued: "The idea of a comprehensive school was brand new at the time, but Michael pioneered an all-ability inclusive education in the South Armagh community long before inclusiveness was a common word"
He retired from St Paul's in 1996 after 30 years. Kathleen added: "By the time he retired in 1996 he had turned a school that started with no exam system and 440 pupils into a thriving educational powerhouse of 1250 students."
Giving an indication of Mr Warde's deep faith, Kathleen reflected that when the local governor told him he would have to interview the new teaching staff himself. Mr Warde met candidates in hotels and in their homes, later reflecting "the Holy Spirit must have guided me because I got a staff of great teachers."
As well as being principal of St Paul's Mr Warde was on the Board of Governors of St Ronan's Primary School. He also gave almost 60 years of service to the Knights of St Columbanus locally.
Also speaking at the Funeral, former St Pauls teacher, Noel McKevitt said that Mr Warde gave more to this world than he took out of it. "Mick Ward's life was in St. Paul's, and he was the life of St. Paul's for 30 years. The large turnout of his former colleagues and staff from St. Paul's at his wake and Funeral is testament of the high esteem that he was held by them. Mick was a true gentleman, and his kindness and compassion touched everyone who crossed his path."
In a reflection he wrote Mr Warde quoted Alfred Lord Tennyson: "If thou shouldst never see my face again, pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." Appropriate words indeed.
Michael Warde is survived by his sons Edward and Patrick, daughters Christine and Catherine and his sister Kathleen, brother John and the wider family circle. Following the Funeral he was laid to rest in St Mary's Cemetery.
Deepest sympathy to his entire family circle.
