MICHAEL McLAUGHLIN

Priest; Born July 3, 1924; Died April 8, 2007.

Bill Tobin was a gentle giant of a man who made a difference to the lives of those he ministered to as a priest in Glasgow for well over 50 years.

He was born in 1924 in County Tipperary in Ireland and attended St John's College,Waterford. Ordained as a priest in 1949 in Holy Trinity Cathedral, Waterford, Father Tobin was one of many Irish priests ordained to serve the Archdiocese of Glasgow in the last century.

His gentle compassion and care for the sick and housebound endeared him to many both in and outside the Catholic faith. On arrival in Glasgow he was appointed to be assistant at St Joseph's from 1949-1950. There then followed a lengthy tenure at St Stephen's, Dalmuir, until 196, when he crossed the city to be assistant priest in St Joseph's, Tollcross. In 1974 he was asked by the archbishop to assist the ailing Father Bill Strickland in Milton, and he oversaw the opening of St Monica's in 1975.

He became parish priest there until 1978, when he was transferred to what was to be his last post, at St Constantine's in Govan.

He remained here until his retiral, which was spent in Bishopbriggs, just outside the city of Glasgow.

Fr Tobin enjoyed relaxing with his priest friends on golfing outings to Troon on his days off. He never drank, but always enjoyed a social gathering with friends and parishioners.

He was held in great affection, and the Catholic Church in Glasgow is a sadder place with his passing.