Funeral held for Rev. Deacon John McClelland

Newry man John McClelland as a teenager followed in his fathers footsteps and became a Firefighter, something synonomous with the McClelland family. That journey lasted over 32 years and saw him become Northern Ireland Fire Brigade's Chief Fire Officer.

Following his retirement, he made another quite different journey and became a Deacon. Ordained in 2017 he was  appointed to Newry Parish. Rev Deacon John McClelland had just a short few years in the role but the esteem in which he was held both in this and in his long career as a Firefighter was obvious for all to see in the turnout at his funeral yesterday 9 November. Children from local primary and secondary schools and colleagues from NIFRS stood on the steps of Newry Cathedral while many other emergency service personel were also present. Colleague and friend Canon Francis Brown celebrated the Requiem Mass in the presence of Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh along with clergy and deacons from the parish and beyond.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service provided a fitting guard of honour on his final journey, with officers flanking the hearse as it made its way down Hill Street with a fire tender in front and behind the procession. A lone piper led the cortege to Newry Cathedral for the Requiem Mass and Office for the Dead ceremony.

Speaking on his death a spokesperson for NIFRS said "It was with deep sadness that we in NIFRS learned of the passing of our former Chief Fire Officer John E McClelland earlier this week.

"John was our Chief Fire Officer from 1996 until his retirement in June 2002 having completed over 32 years’ service and is fondly remembered by those that served with him in the then Northern Ireland Fire Brigade (NIFB).  John had served in many roles for NIFB across Northern Ireland during his long and impressive career eventually taking him to Chief Fire Officer.

"Chief Fire Officer McClelland was seen as a very progressive, modernising and supportive Chief Fire Officer, much respected by his peers and all of those who served alongside him in the NIFB."

The Spokesperson continued "John came from what can only be described as an exceptional Newry firefighting family tradition in that he followed in the footsteps of his late Father, Sub Officer Jackie McClelland  BEM who served in the Retained Section at Newry Fire Station for many of our most difficult years.  A total of 5 of Jackie’s sons went on to serve in the NIFB, including John who went on to progress up the ranks to Chief Fire Officer, Johns brothers Joe and Marcus who predeceased him, and his surviving brothers Stephen and Raymond who are both now retired. One of John McClelland’s nephews serves to this day on Red Watch Newry.  By any measure this was an exceptional commitment to community safety and public service.

"All in NIFRS, the successor to NIFB wish to pass on our condolences to Johns wife Mary, his daughters Paula and Caroline, his brothers, friends and wider family circle and assure them that Johns legacy of service to our great organisation will not be forgotten."

Funeral

After a fulfilling career in the fire service John McClelland's selfless service to the community could easily have stopped there, but several more chapters were to still to be unveiled, with the journey towards becoming a Church Deacon giving him some of the 'most fullfilling' years of his life.

Very Rev. Canon Francis Brown was the main Celebrant at yesterday's Funeral and in his Homily the Parish Administrator recalled his life  "John was born on the 6^th June 1951, the son of Jackie and Ave Maria McClelland.  He was the second eldest son of the family of six boys. The McClelland family life centred around St. Patrick's Avenue where John and his five brothers grew up in a happy home environment with their many friends in that area of Newry Parish and had a very happy childhood.  He attended St. Colman’s Abbey Primary School and then the Abbey Grammar School."

Explaining how fire fighting was in the DNA of the McClelland family Canon Brown continued "He gave 31 years to the NI Fire Brigade, from 1968 until 2002, serving under his father Jackie and with his brothers.  His 34 years of service were during a very difficult period in our history, but John gave of himself totally for the sake of others and never counted the cost of the injuries and pain that he had to endure for his total other centeredness.  He was and is a local hero, like so many others during this difficult time.  It was a great achievement to become the Chief Fire Officer in Northern Ireland.  He passed this sense of dedication on to his own family. The McClelland name is synonymous with Fire fighting in the Newry area.  It is in the DNA." 

John met his wife Mary in the Parochial Hall in Newry and they were married in Newry Cathedral in 1974. Canon Brown spoke of how he was privileged to have known them both for the past 12 years and spoke of his life, being a life of service and recalled his sense of fun and banter.

Reflecting on how after his retirement he made the journey towards being a Deacon. Canon Brown said "John was also someone who had, during his life, a great influence on so many people both family’ friends and parishioners.   He was also someone who was known far and wide for his kindness and attention to people.  After his retirement, John decided to begin a journey to become a permanent deacon.  With the same sense of dedication he pursued his studies during his four years of preparation he was ordained on 4^th June 2017, Pentecost Sunday.  It was a privilege for us when John was asked to shadow the priests in Newry Parish as part of his preparation, during which time he did invaluable work in the parish.  As a student for the Diaconate, John immersed himself fully in the life of the parish and this enthusiasm continued during his too short years of service, indeed until he was no longer able.  He said to me many times that these few years were the most fulfilling years of his life.  He never gave up hope that he would be able to return to work as a deacon and often bemoaned the fact that his time of service was so short.  It brought John so much fulfilment to put on his alb, cincture, stole and dalmatic to assist at Mass or to celebrate the sacrament of Baptism, or assist at funerals and weddings.  It brought John a great sense of fulfilment and he carried out these duties with such reverence and with a sincere calmness."

Following his ordination, he was appointed to Newry Parish by Bishop McAreavey.  Canon Brown explained his rich involvement in the parish including the Parish Finance Committee, the Parish Centre, St Mary's renovations, Pastoral Council, Lectio Divina, Chair of the Board of Governors at St Mary's High School and his involvement in St Johns Ambulance, 

"John was a man who gave and didn’t count the cost.  He was a natural leader.  I know that he was generous with people in the parish who needed help, but this was not spoken about by him.  His years of service to the parish are outstanding, and I have no doubt that his reward will be great.  In the words of St. Paul, he has run the race, finished the course in style." Canon Brown said.

He concluded "The author of the Book of wisdom talks about the quality of life and not merely length of days.  The book of Ecclesiasticus says, “A life well lived has no ending” - those who have brought us close to God in life continue to inspire and challenge us to remain close to Him in the way they lived their life."

Deacon McClelland was interred in St Mary's Cemetery.