The founder of Dublin’s Capuchin Day Centre was today remembered as a “feisty and challenging” man with a “compassionate heart” who inspired the people of Ireland to be “kinder” to the poor.
In a tribute to Brother Kevin Crowley, who died at the age of 90 on Wednesday, one of his fellow Capuchin Friars told mourners: “He wasn’t perfect. He could be feisty and challenging when he disagreed with you.
“But what he did have in abundance was a generous, compassionate heart, and that is what made the man.”
Brother Patrick Flynn added: “Kevin, thank you for your good example you gave us Capuchins and also to the people of Ireland for inspiring us to be kinder, more thoughtful and more generous to our poor sisters and brothers who live among us.”
His homily received a round of applause from mourners packed into the Church of St Mary of the Angels, Church Street, Dublin 7.
They included President Michael D Higgins, the Dublin Lord Mayor Ray McAdam, and Commandant Joe Glennon, Aide de Camp representing Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris.
Mourners at the service, which was celebrated by Capuchin Franciscan priest-friar Brother Richard Hendrick, also heard Br Kevin’s motto was “Do it, damn it”.
Brother Patrick said: “He couldn’t understand why our country couldn’t solve this problem (of poverty). You see, he was the kind of man that didn’t see problems.
“He only saw challenges. His attitude, our motto was, do it, damn it.
“He was a voice speaking loudly and clearly in the name of God’s poor and our poor. He was a tireless advocate for those with no voice.
“He was at one with his people, reaching out with his loving, generous, compassionate heart. He was our conscience, reminding us of our obligation to support and help our sisters and brothers who are caught in the poverty trap with no way out unless we bend down to lift him up.
“He was fearless, relentless in his pursuit of justice for the poor.”
Originally from Enniskeane, West Cork, Brother Kevin founded the day centre for homeless people on Bow Street in Dublin in 1969.
He became and remained synonymous with serving Dublin’s poor at a centre that today provides food and shelter to an average of 800 people each day.
When he retired at the age of 87 in August 2022, he said he planned to leave Dublin and return to what he described as “the most beautiful county in Ireland” – his native Cork.
Despite this, he made no secret of his fondness for Dublin, and boasted of being “a great Dubs supporter”.
Mourners heard he received many awards and honors over the years for his work in the day centre, including Freedom of the City of Dublin.
But they also heard he “never took these honours too seriously”.
Brother Patrick said: “His focus was always on other people. He wanted to help other people.
“Countless men and women today would say that Kevin saved their lives.”
Mourners were also told that although he rarely spoke about them he had had “huge” health issues of his own for more than 40 years. He was one of the first people in the country to have open heart surgery.
“He never made much of his sickness through all the years he was in and out of hospital,” Brother Patrick said.
“It’s amazing that he lived to his 91st year. It’s simply a miracle.”
To laughter, he added: “A story he told me himself was that one day he met his surgeon who had performed the surgery on his heart and he looked at Kevin and he said to him, don’t tell me you’re still alive.”
