Marist priest Father Michael McVerry who contributed immensely to the development of the Tutu Rural Training Centre on Taveuni has passed away.
Fr McVerry is known for his successful plans implemented at the training centre since he started there in 1972.
The centre’s head Fr Petero Matairatu said Fr McVerry passed away at Taumarunui in New Zealand last Thursday.
“In 2019, after years of serving in the Oceania Province, first in the Solomon Island and since 1984 at the Tutu Rural Centre, he returned to New Zealand due to heart issues that required treatment in NZ periodically,” he said.
“In 2021 he was formally transferred to the NZ Province and assisted in the parish of Dannevirke before joining the Maryknoll Marist community at the Manawatu-Whanganui region of NZ early this year.”
In August this year, Fr McVerry made his last trip to Tutu and was farewelled by his Marist family.
